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It's a bit of a long story how my Tour of England came to be, and nothing was finalised until it happened really. So what DID happen on my tour of 889.3 miles?!
Location : St. Mark's College, Audley End (near Saffron Walden)
Date : Friday 3rd August
Time : 16.45
Destination : Leeds
I got a little behind schedule with packing. I had aimed to leave at 4pm!! But soom as I hit the road, my journey began. And what a journey that was! I foolishly listened to the radio with it's traffic news. I heard there was a 10 mile (I think it was!) tailback from Newark. As I travelled along the A1 and got nearer and nearer, I decided I'd best not leave it too late to turn off!! Ended up travelling through Nottingham and up the M1. SLIGHT detour!!
Reached Leeds at approximately 9.30pm. Following the directions I'd been sent was simple... until the road I needed in the city centre was closed :o/ Tried taking a left and a right to resume directions, but got a bit lost. Eventually arrived at my friend Susan's at around 10.45pm!!! We chatted and watched a bit of tele before retiring to bed.
Saturday morning I called my friend Karen. She'd left a message saying she was with her family in Manchester for the week (-she currently lives in Hounslow, Middlesex), and to call her if i wanted to meet up. With Susan's 'permission', I arranged to go out with her that evening, arriving around 6pm for my tea. (Susan still had to work on her Masters Dissertation.) I also phoned Jen regarding a bed for Sunday night. She said it would be difficult for her, and told me to ask Chris, which I did :) With all that sorted, me and Susan went shopping.
While shopping, we were given an 'outreach leaflet', for a free Bar-B-Q. I think Susan was a bit reluctant to go at first, but once I got her there, she didn't want to leave as it was nice and relaxing. (NB I'm a Christian, Susan's an atheist!) What the Christians in Leeds had to say was really good, and there was a variety of music which they played, including some MCing!!
When we got back from shopping, we watched a Dudley Moore film on the tele which was of his usual irratical standard! When it finished, it was time to go :(
Location : Leeds
Date : Saturday 4th August
Time : 17.00
Destination : Manchester
The journey from Leeds to Manchester (along the M62, naturally!) is totally awesome. I watched the hills more than the road!! Not to worry, I got there safely. All I'd been told direction-wise, was to call when I got to Manchester Uni!
Reached Manchester Uni around 6pm. (So much for the half hour journey Su!!) Phoned Karen from one of those trustworthy phoneboxes you often see along the road, and was given my directions. Didn't have a piece of paper, but luckily my memory rarely fails me on such important matters! After two stops to ensure I was still on the right road, I finally arrived at Karen's, albeit half an hour late. (Sorry!!!) We had a Chinese before setting off for our night out.
Don't ask me where we went, because my memory isn't THAT good!! All I know is we headed for the Quay bar to have a drink in honour of one of Karen's friends birthday, and then we set off somewhere which escapes my name. Then we had a little debate on where to go next. Ended up at 42nd Street (or whatever it's called!) where Karen ASSURED us all we wouldn't be going!
Sunday morning I arose after an impressive 4 1/2 hours sleep to go to church with Karen's dad. (We decided it would be easier than going back to Birmingham for a service!) Was a welcoming church, and a little bit traditional, but not too much so. Just right!
After I had some lunch, it was time to leave again. This time for Birmingham. Was glad to have finally seen Karen once more all these months after graduating! :)
Location : Manchester
Date : Sunday 5th August
Time : 14.00
Destination : Birmingham
This was the most boring journey. Straight after the thrills of the M62 aswell!! Never again will I travel on the M6 from Manchester to Birmingham after so little sleep! The traffic just goes at the same pace, and there's nothiong exciting which happens. No-one to overtake. No one overtaking you. BORING!
Arrived in Birmingham from a different direction from ever before! (Hardly surprising when you consider I was coming from the North rather than the East!) So I kept stopping to consult with my (Dad's!) A to Z to ensure I was still on the right track! Actually arrived at my friend Maggie's right on time amazingly enough! Was good to catch up with her, her hubby, son, and even her Mum once more! Naturally I was fed and watered before my next little journey. I always time these things so Maggie feeds me because I know I'll get a good meal there!!!! (Don't worry, I told her this!)
Location : Birmingham
Date : Sunday 5th August
Time : 18.50
Destination : Redditch
Shortest journey, but I was glad of the driving break!! (Think it took me a relaxed 30 mins or so.) Decided I want to live in Redditch because it's so open and lovely! Chris said the crime rate is the same as in Birmingham, but never mind!
Was the first time I'd met Chris's family. Quite an experience! His sis was just preparing to go to Bristol Uni (-I told her I'd visit while there, but never actually carried out my threat!). Chris's Mum was lovely and welcoming, and told me I'd have to visit again soon! Someday ;)
Location : Redditch
Date : Monday 6th August
Time : 09.05
Destination : ??
Chris had to kick me out at 9am as he had to get to work. We were running a little late though! I had no idea what I'd do with my day. Arranged to meet Jen in Stratford at 6pm, and that was all I knew! Decided to head that way and see what I found en route.
Ended up at Ragley Hall which looked promising. Unfortunately the house (and quite a few of the grounds due to Foot and Mouth) were closed, but I made the most of it. Even had a go in the maze which was kewl!! (The stables weren't bad either, with all the old carriages and things!) Unfortunately the weather turned for the worse at lunch time, and I got a bit fed up, so called Lou and Mike (in Bedworth, near Coventry) to see what they were doing!
Location : Ragley Hall
Date : Monday 6th August
Time : 13.00
Destination : Bedworth
Lou and Mike were indeed available for a visit from my good self! Not too bad a journey either - just over an hour. Two years minus a day since I'd seen them last - when they married. Naturally amongst all the catching up I saw the wedding pics. It really was a spur of the moment visit, but definately worth it, and a nice surprise for them too when I called to arrange it!
Location : Bedworth
Date : Monday 6th August
Time : 17.00
Destination : Stratford
Luckily at Ragley Hall I'd picked up a sightseers map of Stratford, otherwise I'd have got TOTALLY lost! Still ended up fed up with the one way system, parking down a road on the edge of town (where it's free!), and walking to meet Jen at the designated spot.
Went to see 'Cats and Dogs' at the cinema. It wasn't something I'd have chosen to see, but it was a fantasically funny film, and I enjoyed it! Afterwards, we made our way back to Harbury (near Leamington Spa) where Jen lives. Had some veggie bolognase with Jen and basically caught up on life.
Tuesday brought with it a horrible wet and rainy morning. Therefore I didn't go out anywhere until the afternoon when things were a bit brighter! I decided to go into Leamington for a walk around the shops. I even bought some things in the process!! My greatest find, though, was my favourite impulse spray (ID) which I thought had been discontinued as I hadn't seen it for 2 years! Well worth it! :)
When Jen returned from work Tuesday evening, we basically watched tele and talked some more. Dinner that night was a tasty homemade organic beef stew, courtesy of Jen's Mum!!
Wednesday I said bye to Jen when she went to work. I then went for a little look around Harbury before returning for lunch (and Neighbours!).
Location : Harbury
Date : Wednesday 8th August
Time : 14.20
Destination : Yatton
After Neighbours finished (I admit, I do like my soaps!), I packed my car and left for Bristol. I chose the scenic route (A429) which was interesting. Not sure if it was my travelling, or typical British weather (or both?!), but it rained one moment, and was warm and sunny the next!
I met Mat at Gordano Service Station. I don't think he trusted me to follow any direction he could have given me! The first thing I noticed was his hair. He used to be so neat and tidy, and now he's like a rock star!! I'm not complaining though :)
On my way to meet Mat, I'd seen signposts off the M5 for Weston-Super-Mare. It took me back to the days I'd visit my Nan; and my cousin, her friends, and myself would sit in the garden shed listening to Radio 1. It always coincided with the Radio 1 roadshow, and in particular, their visit to Weston. Not that I knew where that was!! Anyway, on seeing the signposts, I decided the next day I'd go to the beach on behalf of my childhood memories! As it was a nice evening on Wednesday, however, Mat decided we'd make the most of it then. So we did! :)
Thursday was another horrible wet day. Not beach weather at all! Instead Mat took me to Bath and told me it's history.
Friday was a glorious day! After Mat went to work, I decided to return to Weston-Super-Mare. I stayed until after I'd had my lunch, after which I decided I'd best make a move. Afterall, I planned to go to Brighton too!! (Original plan was Bournemouth, but it seemed further out of the way.)
Location : Weston-Super-Mare
Date : Friday 10th August
Time : 13.20
Destination : Brighton
The weather remained gorgeous on my journey. It was another scenic route, and I mean scenic! The A36 wasn't quite M62 standard, but still wonderful!
On my way through Salisbury, I did pass a thought for visiting Stonehenge, but what it came down to, was it's a pagan site, so wouldn't really appeal to me after all! So I carried on my travelling through rush hour.
The coastal route was quite busy. And I got hungrier and hungrier. So much for eating on Brighton beach! I ended up stopping slightly short, at Littlehampton, and watching the waves there while I ate my Chickenburger. Then I decided to go to Brighton just so I could say I'd been there!
Reached Brighton at about 8.30pm. I'm easily confused by signposts, and so ended up in Hove. I parked my car, and proceeded to walk to Brighton Pier (which was closed) and back. Nice little walk! :)
Location : Brighton
Date : Friday 10th August
Time : 21.10
Destination : Edgware
My journey up to London was simple. I decided it would be easier to sit on the M25 than drive straight through the city. I didn't realise how long it would take to go halfway round the M25. Seemed like forever!!
Evenutally arrived in Edgware at around 10.45pm. I turned into Roger's road, and then his house number suddenly slipped my mind!! Luckily after delving deep into my memory I got it right :)
We sat and talked a bit before a film came on. I was so tired, that I went to bed about half hour after arriving.
I had to leave Roger early Saturday morning in order to see my friend Sam get wed! I'd left my dress back at St. Mark's, so had to stop off there en-route. Had planned to leave at 10am, but this wasn't to be!
Location : Edgware
Date : Friday 10th August
Time : 10.30
Destination : St. Mark's College, Audley End
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