Lake District, Wales and back to London
Take memories, leave footprints, many wanderers before us must have been captivated by offers sparking joy around every corner.
"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us" an anonymous quote summing up feeling the excitement wanderlust brings one when travelling to different parts of the world. We can never get enough, I do not think we ever will.
20th October 1978
Carlisle was next larger landmark before move into the Lake District.
After a lovely Ploughman lunch accompanied with delicious local ale at Ye Olde Golden Lion Inn in Keswick, tummy filled we set of on the Keswick - Borrowdale valley - Honister Pass circular drive (not to be missed).
Lake District filled with natural wonders, beautiful lakes, valleys and mountain passes each a delightful sight, quaint towns yes I become repetitive, exceptional views.
Out of season we found the roads and towns exceptionally quiet, I do not think we passed another car on the way, perhaps 1978 was a good year to travel.
‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page’ - St Augustine many things new and strange one only learns as you go, today so much is at ones finger tips showing you the way not to miss many sights we never knew existed. Never take another persons word, if you are able get there, experience it for yourself!
Afternoon tea was taken in Ambleside a small town in Cumbria the heart of the Lake District National Park start of Windemere, England's largest natural lake.
No wonder well known authors and painters were inspired in this region. After a stroll through the cobblestone village seeing the old water mill which no longer operates we continued our walk. Journey now took us down to Levens just south of Kendal to spend the night.
Scenery is much like Scotland I noted down, although on a much smaller scale.
21st October 1978
On waking went to Levens Hall and Sizergh Castle all locked up for winter months (pity we never saw this Elizabethan mansion), home to the Stricklands we had learned a little about back home.
No luck with buildings, we traversed on to Ulverston where we stopped off to enjoy the train and station, "I must be becoming a train spotter", yet took very few photographs of trains during travels.
Enjoyed the Ulverston morning market on cobbled streets with plenty of treats from local farming community, stocked up the van with local treats. Set sights back to Ambleside, no we were not done with that little town with more to explore, return to see what you possibly missed....
Bridge House in the center of Ambleside, at the time a small shop sold local ties and scarves, a quirky reminder of this 17th century survivor. Apparently built back in the 14 hundreds to cross over Stock Ghyll into the orchards of family land owned for many centuries. Foresight of the local community in the early 1900s fund-raised to repair and secure safety of not only the bridge house, but all in close proximity.
Had an enjoyable lunch in Ambleside soaking up the sights and sounds of this magic little town. After some bickering we could not find the road to Pooley Bridge, headed for the A66 across from Keswick toward Penrith (remember no Garmin those days, maps and sign posts),
Yup we found the road, going through Pooley Bridge in most incredible thick mist, consequently we will to come back to to this drive this again one day. ‘Not all those who wander are lost’ a beautiful quote by JRR Tolkien to remember.
Ended up spending the night on a farm in Ormskirk after zig-zagging, droving circles all the way through the Lake District with beautiful views.
Lake District lakes
22nd October 1978
Up bright and early with farm life starting at the crack of dawn, thanked the farmer and drove to Liverpool in search of petrol which we were having difficulty in hunting down. Topped up and continued to Birkenhead via Queensway Tunnel under River Mersey, seeing the modern spaceship building that was the cathedral going through Liverpool.
The Liverpool ‘rocket ship’ building design, which in 1959 came in second place in a competition to design a new city centre cathedral, is as striking and futuristic as the picture suggests. Source
Wales
Crossing into Wales we stopped off for delightful lunch at the Silver Feather on a hairpin mountain bend at Betwys-y-Coed then continued to Penrhyn Castle.
A Norman style castle close to Bangor, Northern Wales with stunning views of the Menai Strait and Snowdonia, walked around enjoying mature established trees, absorbing commanding views no matter which direction you looked.
Next we visited the railway museum which is extremely well preserved, Old steam trains used to pull building materials up from a quarry close by when building the castle plus many other wonderful reminders of a bygone era, sneak peak.
On the platform we took this photograph, apparently the longest word in Welsh, which no matter how hard I tried would never be able to sound this out "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch" which means:-
"The church of St Mary in a hollow of white hazel near to a rapid whirl-pool and to Saint Tysilios church, close to a red cave."
Meandered into extensive gardens to enjoy the fall splendour, feasting our senses before moving on to town of Caernarfon where the Prince of Wales used to reside, overnight stop slightly out of town in Llanrug on the Tyn-y-Coed.
23rd October, 1978
Bright and early into Caernafon to do some exploring, shopping to stock up with fresh produce, then set off to see the medieval fortress in the town center, sadly in bad shape, one has to consider extreme age on some buildings. [Link to Interesting History Carnafon Castle](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Caernarfon_Castle}
Travelled on to Betwys-y-Coed seeing the fairy glen, passing by shallow falls and forest to Dolgellau all within the Snowdonia National Park with superb scenery all the way.
Crossing back into England to visit the Shropshire Hills which was a big let down, back into Wales to over night next to the river at Garthmyl where we enjoyed a Youngers Ale enjoying the quiet water gliding past.
24th October, 1978
Set out quite late toward Aberystwyth, a little shopping then stretched our legs along the promenade which runs the length of this university town.
Hugging the coast down to Aberaeron, on arrival we bought an ice-cream to enjoy the harbour view, then planned the rest of the trip using the Kombi camper.
Afternoon was spent in search of the town Bettws Evan, Wales sign posts are few and far between, Welsh totally foreign language we carried on persevering, not seeing much in Bettws Evan carried continued to Camarthen.
25th October, 1978
Arriving in Camarthen we bought supper and enjoyed walking around this oldest continually lived in town with legendary connection to Merlin, wizards and Roman heritage.
Narrow streets and lanes allow one to enjoy the spirit of the town, making our way through a park to the River Towy we enjoyed a riverside walk, tranquil with birds and small wildlife in the park.
Next we drove to Llandeilo into the Brecon Beacons National Park, scenery spectacular glowing last Autumn colour flushing the trees in vibrant gold, red and yellow. We saw the sheep no the ponies, on we went to Ross-on-Wye via Abergavenny.
Stopped off for the night in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire back in England, a lovely tranquil small place next to a canal, ended up being a great stop-off in this family run establishment.
Took a walk to look at the local Wild Goose Youth Hostel, staying at the Tudor Caravan park right alongside the Gloucester-Sharpness canal, then a another walk all along the canal looking forward to the evening ahead.
Spent the evening in the pub onsite savouring sights and sounds of bird life coming and going off the water, along with a delicious meal by a pint or two....
26th October, 1978
Another early walk along the canal after breakfast journeyed to Oxford City a university town, took a look around a walk down High Street, saw some of the university.
Stopped off at a pub for lunch, on our walk back to the Kombi where we had parked went into one of the larger stores to look around and found a KWV (South African Red Wine) Pinotage 750ml paying £1.95 which we will consume in the noisy caravan site situated near Heathrow Airport.
27th October, 1978
Awful drive back through early morning traffic into London, got the van back to the Park Royal Hotel in Earls Court. Hire companies did not appear to have official offices other than working outside hotel in parking lot, when they attempting to squeeze VAT out of us on return delivery, I refused outright.
Caught underground back to our friends flat, bought some supplies to add into the home, unpacked and up to the laundromat watching 2.5 hours of a machine going around.... Wonderful evening with friends spent hours chatting about the journey.
28th October, 1978
Slept in needed it, city life we ventured down to Portobello Road, just love these street markets, buzzing with excitement full of life, Notting Hill is like an ongoing party for all who visit in almost anything you wish to find, it is there!
Afternoon was taken up with "The Yes" concert which was magnifique, returned with all our friends staying in London from South Africa, all ten of us all piled into the flat in West Hampstead to enjoy a night of merriment and talking...
29th October, 1978
Went down to Hyde Park Speakers Corner (load of drivel going on) but most entertaining also interesting to witness open debating/haggling going on, nice walk Serpentine Lake, found a wine/beer outlet much needed!
Guy on the box under the tree was doing the debating.....
30th October, 1978
Madam Tussards was not quite up to our expectations, had a pub grub at "The Globe", spent the afternoon watching "The Last Tango in Paris" which in my opinion they could keep!
31st October 1978
Visited Tower of London, saw the crown jewels, interesting how fast one is shuttled through, after the wait then quick explore on what was for offer had a beer en-route to Houses of Parliament, arrived to be told they were closed due to opening tomorrow.
1st November, 1978
Opening the Houses of Parliament was a highlight, the carriages, band with all the pomp and ceremony we had never seen in our lives before, yes it was exciting and something we never anticipated!
Rain in London, grey skies here is what was said behind closed doors while we carried on with the day. Both Houses of Parliament
After a pizza lunch went and saw "The Last Walz" which was excellent, entertainment in the big city was so much more than we knew or expected....
2nd October, 1978
Shopped for records in the morning, meeting our friends for lunch at a strip club pub (OK first for that as well), then went to "Panache Hair Salon" at Oxford Circus to get our hair done, all four of us, it must have felt like the invasion of South Africans.
All together off to "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage" for a snack and a snort.... (Food and Beer), built in the 1840s as a coaching inn, also looks Swiss now I could say that having been there...
3rd November, 1978
Got little to nothing done, were supposed to be shopping but nothing caught the eye, went back to our friends home to enjoy lunch, a last beer and farewells arriving late at the airport for our return travel back home.
Sorry the time went so quickly, hope to return one day, much seen, learned, done but all goes too quickly, homeward bound we go.
4th November, 1978
Not searched at all on return journey, not even the bulky statue nor Crown & Rose Pewter Mugs purchased, those will be christened and much enjoyed in years to come.
43 years later I have thoroughly enjoyed documenting this time away for all to enjoy, to me it has been reliving the memories, remembering friends, good times we had, places explored.
Planning before we left, payment for as much as feasibly possible before departure. Relied on my small daily diary, photograph album with notes along the side, and the same maps used, mapping movement at the end of each day.
To the many people who helped us along the way even when we could not understand each other, we did it. Hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I have, thanks for hanging around!
The End!
European Part of Tour
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 1 - Planning
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 2 - Europe
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 3 - Germany - Denmark - Sweden - Norway
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 4 - Denmark - Germany - Switzerland - Austria
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 5 - Italy - France - Britain
Britain By Kombi Camper
Britain - Kombi Camper
East Coast - England
Scotland - Part 8
Photographs originally from film camera, converted in early 2000's to digital so please excuse the age, memories are wrapped up here!
Thought for Today: "I just wish the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored - David Attenborough
We all have them hidden away somewhere, now joining in #blockchainmemoryproject host
