Two Weeks in England

Two weeks and four trips. Yes, four.

First, there was Liverpool, then the Peak District (Cromford), then Whitley Bay (near Newcastle) and finally, one day in Edinburgh, Scotland. That's a lot to unpack! But if I don't unpack it, I will forget it.

First, Liverpool. We were there because Dylan is an amazing twirler. She started this sorta accidentally as an after-school activity as a 2nd or 3rd grader and fell in love. How else can you explain it? She was fell hard and has not wavered since! She's learned so much - teamwork, gymnastics, dancing and more. And now, here she was in Liverpool for an international competition in twirling. Liverpool's not exactly around the corner, but we had to go!

Dylan participated in two competitions - the Corps (a group endeavor) and a duet with her partner Iris. As totally unbiased observers, we thought she was great!! The corps got a 2nd place but the girls didn't place in their duet.  NEVERTHELESS, parents and coaches and grandparents thought they were just amazing. 

We were delayed getting in (that seems to be standard with any air travel these days) but Lee had Apps for Über and sent us a ride so we could join them for a late dinner.  It's always nice to get a hug from Hayden.

The next day started early with all the participants filing onto the Arena floor according to country even  though they don't have "country" teams. Regardless, the US had the largest contingent, but many countries were represented.

And without these moms, none of it would have happened! (No pic of the dads, but there were several of them in attendance as well. Go Dads! Go Moms!)

Dylan's performance with the Corps was the next day, so they went back to practice and we took a walk around the Mersy that's been developed into quite a tourist draw.

Later, dinner with Iris (Dylan's duet partner) and her family. We had lots of good food in Liverpool!

Next day, it was Corps. Of course we saw more than just the Sundancers and it was interesting and eye-opening for me and Werner to see so many other performers. The Sundancers team had taken 1st Place in a national competition earlier, so they had high hopes. They did a great job and came in 2nd, so there was some disappointment to deal with. But as you can see, they had so much to be proud of!

Proud parents and grandparents with the medal winner.

Next day we had some time on our own and checked out the area close to our hotel. Queen Victoria, in her younger days, outside the local municipal building.

And down the street a trio of Victorian buildings - the Walker Museum, the Liverpool Library and the Natural History Museum. 

There was a bit of everything at the Walker Museum and it was fun walking around. Here, the sculpture gallery.

A sofa from William Morris, one of my favorites. 

And of course some paintings. None particularly well-known, but pleasant.

Next door, I figured there had to be a reading room in the library, and I was not disappointed.

This was of course very classic and old fashioned, but the newer part had all the mod cons. What a great entry hall - floors of open areas, lots of computers and other helps, and of course lots of books.

Saturday it was Dylan and Iris performing their duet. They were the youngest duo in that category and did not expect to make it to the finals on Sunday, but they did a GREAT job - according to Crissy and Robin (Iris' mom) it was the best ever for them, and surely they would know.  So, no medals, but lots of good experience!

My video of their performance isn't professional, but you get the idea.  

The last night, everyone wanted something really, really English and Robin made reservations at The Philharmonic Pub. If you ever go to Liverpool, you should go to this place. The building is lovely (Art Deco) and the food is great.  

Next morning, Bye-bye to Lee, Crissy, Dylan and Hayden. What a treat to see them in a different place. They had one more day in Liverpool before heading back to Orlando and school for the kids! And a lot of hot after the cool English weather. And we'll see them soon!  October in Florida!!

Part Two:  Anne and Neil picked us up at the hotel, very much on time, and we headed to the Peak District.  

It took about 1 1/2 hours driving time to get to our hotel in Cromford, but we added a stop along the way at Buxton to visit a lovely garden and architectural "crescent" reminiscent of a much larger one in Bath.

It was - still is - a Spa where folks come for the waters. Here is the source of the healing water.

You can bathe in it of course, but you can also partake.

Bring your own bottle, or buy it from the locals.

On to Cromford. Our Hotel there. 

It may have been the only hotel.  It seems 99% of the buildings are made of the local sandstone. On the one hand, it is interesting, on the other a bit, well, boring. And all the same color.  And when it is gray outside, everything, EVERYTHING is gray. Or grey. 

Our room matched the hotel, very traditional. Because we no longer have a tub in our bathroom at home, I'd asked Anne if we could have a bathtub there. YES! What a treat.

We took a short walk around Cromford that afternoon. It was a huge manufacturing center it its time, lots of cotton that was imported from the US slave states helped fuel the industrial revolution in England. The buildings are now protected historical sites. 

This is the church where Mr. Arkwright, the owner of the mills, was buried.

And his home, still occupied. Nice digs.

Breakfast was generous, to say the least.  The whole English spread. Every day.

It wasn't so nice, that next day. Lots of random showers predicted and the predictions proved true. And Anne and Neil's planned route for our day got hijacked by assorted diversions (in American, detours -- don't you love English?!) and so it was not exactly what they had planned, but it was great anyway.

When we arrived in Bakewell our hosts were temporarily flabbergasted by the crowds. "Isn't it Tuesday?"  "No, it's Monday." Oh, ****." We folks who are retired sometimes lose track of the days.  Yes, we do. Plus we're on the road and not on our regular schedules, so it is.  Monday is Market Day in Bakewell and folks come from all over.

There were TONS of folks, the car parks (American: parking lots) were full and we had a bit of a walk to the town and the market. And there was rain. 

Who cares? It's England.  We used our anoraks and umbrellas and did just fine. We trudged up the hill to the church, a somewhat foreboding structure. Really, it's all the sandstone.

There were lovely spaces inside.

And here, a 14c tomb of a local royal, with graffiti from the 17th c. "RA  1691."  Folks have been defacing monuments for centuries, not just the wild Europeans today marking up monuments in Italy.

A re-purposed old telephone booth. Hoping I don't need to find out if I need defribliating. 

Because of the diversions, we ended up in Cromford earlier than planned, so we went to the local bookstore for a look around and some tea and cake.

And look who's here!! Hi, Bob!

The next day was nice - sunshine! Off to the valley and a nice easy walk.

Lovely little falls.

So many wildflowers! 

After our walk, about 8k, we drove to a nearby village for some tea and a little break. Fun! The flowers in the planters and the backyard gardens were amazing.

Later, fish and chips, finally!!! 

And a beer, too.

That interlude was over way way too fast. Next day (after a modified breakfast - really, who can eat a full English breakfast every day??) we packed up and Anne and Neil drove us to Derby where we said our sad goodbyes and promised to Zoom soon and then got on the train to Morpeth and a visit with Muriel, formerly of Muriel and Tony. Sadly, Tony passed away about two years ago. This was our first visit with Muriel since then.

And it was so nice. We went into Newcastle, of course and stopped in the museum that overlooks the Tyne. What a view. I like the 2nd photo best, but the first shows the 5 bridges over the river.

The current museum exhibit was interesting - all about herbs and spices and how they're used. In other area, there were photographs about diversity in the region. Here's Muriel and Werner taking a break.

Then we walked to the old city center where Muriel said she'd never been! Isn't that the way it is in your own home town? The old, old castle which is actually the New Castle.

And the dungeon. Imagine you're there with a cover on the top. That's it.  Punishment in the MA was nasty.

Yet another wonderful library - this time the Lit and Phil - the Literature and Philosophy Society Library. 

Next day, Muriel's son Edwin offered to drive us to the seaside. Not exactly a beach day - windy, cloudy and maybe 68°, but it's England. And it's beach! Cooper the dog gave not a fig about the weather and was happy happy happy to chase balls. And hey, a picnic.

Then we drove into Bamburgh to walk around the castle. There are so many of these ginormous "homes" here. 

Winds and sea air will eat away at stone.

Nearby, there's a church where a local heroine; Grace Darling,  is buried.

Her father manned the lighthouse and she single-handedly went out in a storm to save sailors from drowning. She was honored throughout the country for her heroism. Her images always show her with an oar.

Next day we visited the flea market at the old Victorian train station. Fun!

We found a couple of small things including a DVD of A Shot in the Dark for 50 pence. Werner had never seen it, so of course I had to buy it.  

There was a the final lawn bowling tournament of the season we caught a bit of.

Another castle to walk around - this time on the Tyne.

Can't remember now exactly what Muriel wanted to show us, but she pulled out an old suitcase full of games from her childhood. Monopoly! But the English version. Not Park Place, but Park Lane and old pressed tin markers of tanks and planes and war-time machines. Wow.

And then, it was over.  Muriel drove us out to Morpeth where we took the train to Edinburgh, the last (very short) leg of our trip. It was the easiest way to get home, Edinburgh to Hamburg by air and then the train to Bremen, but since there have been so many strikes and sometimes they cancel trains without warning, it was better to be there the day before. 

Another castle looms over Edinburgh. We stayed below.

It was Festival  in Edinburgh which explained the crowds and the incredibly expensive accommodations. We enjoyed our free visit to the National Gallery where they are very woke. And I appreciate that very much.

We saw some of the street performers, visited a craft fair, had a much-too-spicy Indian dinner.  Heading home the next day, we bought a couple of Krispy Kreme doughnuts that tasted oh-so-good with a cup of hot coffee.

What a lot of England!  It was a fun trip, and it was fun to get home, too. The older I get, the more I like my own pillow. So it is.

Souvenirs:  Bran flakes, English porridge, Scottish shortbread. And lots of lovely memories.