1 January 2018
On 23 December we flew into London Heathrow Airport. Customs took a while. In Germany we were able to use an automated gate if we had a new Australian passport, however when we got to London this wasn’t an option. Perhaps it is time for Australia to become a Republic, as I wasn’t exactly feeling the British love.
For our rental car they gave us a Mitsubishi Triton dual cab ute with a lockable canopy. While it had PLENTY of room for our luggage, it soon became apparent that it would be very impractical. First, it was too long and too wide to fit into the typical UK micro car parking spot. Second, it was harder to get down narrow lanes and roads with cars parked either side. Third, you couldn’t see a thing out of the back. We felt like Gulliver driving his car around at the local Lilliputian village.
The Marriotts — Malvern Hills
We arrived quite late at The Marriott household in Colwall, at the foot of the Malvern Hills, where we would stay until New Year’s Day. It was wonderful to see Anthony and Sara again after 20+ years, and to meet their lovely daughters Jasmine and Alysia. So that we would have a bit more room, we ended up staying with Sara’s mother, Jane, who lived only five minutes walk away. It was wonderful for Jane to let us stay with her that whole time.
Christmas Eve — Worcester Cathedral
Christmas Eve entailed a trip to Worcester for some shopping, plus a walk through the magnificent Worcester Cathedral, and to Malvern to get some phone cards.
Christmas Day
On Christmas Day, after opening our various presents, Anthony cooked us the biggest turkey that had ever walked the face of the Earth. In fact I think it must have been a dinosaur turkey that survived the last ice age. To ensure it didn’t dry out, Anthony stuffed it with pierced potatoes. This seemed to work a treat as the turkey was very moist and tender.
While Sara, Jane and Nicole finished food preparations, Anthony, Alysia and I went for a short walk in the Malvern Hills. They really are very picturesque, with fantastic views of the Severn Valley and right across to Wales. People apparently come from all over the UK to hike these hills, and I can see why.
Christmas dinner was wonderful. Thanks very much Anthony, Sara, Jane, Jasmine and Alysia!
Oxford
On Boxing Day we headed to Oxford the next day. Given we had to swap our car over (thank goodness — we got a Toyota CH-R which was infinitely more practical) plus headed off a bit late, we didn’t get to see as much of Oxford as we liked, however what we saw was very nice indeed.
Snow in Malvern
It was around this time that we got a few inches of snow. They had received a foot of snow only a week or so earlier too. Before then, snow hadn’t fallen for three years, so twice in a month was quite unusual.
After a day trip to Ledbury for lunch in a beautiful old pub …
… we decided to go for a walk in the Malvern Hills to take in the beautiful snowscape. Anthony and I took quite a long walk, thinking everyone else had headed back home with Sara. Just as it was getting dark, I got a call from Nicole asking if we were OK — the last car had left and she was getting a little concerned … and very cold! Anthony and I couldn’t really rush back too much though, as most of the snow had turned to very slippery ice.
Bristol and Bath
The next day was a day trip to Bristol to see the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the first of its kind constructed in the UK.
Then it was on to Bath, one of the most visited towns in England. The highlight is the Roman Baths, constructed by the Romans upon a naturally heated spring nearly 2,000 years ago. It’s incredible to think of how sophisticated the Romans were that long ago.
We then explored the city centre including a visit to The Circus, a circular area with buildings constructed in a circle around it, and The Crescent, an impressive arc of townhouses constructed in 1774 for the upper class and gentry of the time.
West Brom vs Arsenal
Anthony, Alysia, Katelyn and I drove to the outskirts of Birmingham (known as the Black Country to mark its coal mining heritage) to watch the West Bromwich Albion “Baggies” take on the Arsenal “Gunners” in the Premier League. This was a lot of fun and the girls really enjoyed it.
Then on the first day of 2018 it was time to say goodbye to Anthony, Sara, Jane, Jasmine and Alysia and thank them for a wonderful time and their wonderful hospitality. Thank you again!
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