We left London on the Friday for our 3 day Road trip. We started by heading to Stonehenge, although due to the bad road signage we ended up going via a small detour past a little historic town called Lacock, which was tiny but very cute. It was at this point that we decided to call it Wing-It Road Trip and just go wherever the road takes us. Finally we got to Stonehenge where the weather cleared up for us and the sun was shining, even if it was still freezing cold. Yip Aimee was well covered up and I’m sure she was thinking of the beach back in warm NZ. Stonehenge was smaller than we all thought it would have been, but it is pretty amazing. With the audio guides commentary we learnt all about its history. I think the most fascinating fact is that a third of each standing stone is under ground! Also, how did they get those stones there, never mind how they put the ones onto the top of the circle!
We were then off to Bristol to find a place to stay for the night. We tried a couple of places but ended up staying at the Premier Inn; a simple place but clean, and a good price, I would recommend it. We wondered off to find some dinner and ended up in the hotel restaurant for a nice quiet meal.
The following morning - after looping the town twice trying to get onto the wicked, high suspension bridge ,before we realised that it was one way – we were on our way to Bath. We all loved the town of Bath, with its old streets and buildings. Aimee and I did the old Roman Baths while Matty and Ray went for a wonder around and a quick beer. Once Aimee and I had finished our tour of the baths, the boys took us for a walk to the river and a small lap around the town as it was lovely weather. It was then back into the car and off to Wales.
Our first stop in Wales was to Cardiff city – what a nightmare though. We went around the city twice trying to find one of the three Premier Inns on my map. The final straw was when we could see the inn but the road we were on had no turn off for miles – What the?? For their capital city you would think they would have a better road system and signage. We then all decided (it didn’t take much) that we’d try for one of the inns just north of Cardiff in a little town called Caerphilly.
With much delight we found the place straight away. Dropping off our gear we headed to the pub/restaurant next door for some dinner and a well-deserved drink! This place must have been one of the local hangouts as it was packed with lots of families (in the family section) as well as a hen’s party (in the pub section). When we arrived back in our room to watch some TV and to relax we heard some crazy party going on in the room next door. It turns out that we weren’t the only people to hear them as they were kicked out later that night and when Matty and I went to checkout we mentioned them and ended up getting the night’s stay for free because of it. So all in all, Thanks Caerphilly!
Our last day was a busy one. Firstly we went to Swansea on the south coast and went for a nice walk along the beach – again another fabulous day. Thanks Aimee for bringing the good weather over with you! Back in the car and we were heading north to the Black Mountains National Park in central Wales where we were met by the local wild horses. We stopped to say hi and all three ended up surrounding the car and wouldn’t move until we fed them nuts and raisons we happened to have in the car. After our touch with nature we realised that we hadn’t eaten so when we came across a little village called Llangadog we thought we’d check out a village pub. The owners were a lovely couple originally from London and they made good cheap baguettes. Our next stop was quite a few hours away – London – but it was a good drive.
All in all, a great road trip! :)
The famous Stonehenge
We found some sheep, a reminder of NZ
What Stonehenge would originally have looked like
In the Roman Baths in Bath
Where is Aimee's body?
One of our many self portraits.
We enter Wales
Us in Swansea
Matty and the wild horses
in Wales
The horses surround our car
demanding food! Cheeky buggers.
