Weekend In York

York, Yorkshire, UK Aug 18/17 - Home for the weekend. Just having a quick peek at this "must see" place in northern England. Spent most of yesterday on the bus getting here. Time to process all that's gone on in these UK days. London, Cornwall, Devon, Wiltshire, Bath, Somerset, The Cotswolds. Art, beaches, cliffs, countryside, history, mystery, architecture, friendship, beauty, blackberries, biking, flying, walking, pubs, theatre. Harry Potter, Jane Austen, Zombies, Poldark. English bliss.

Night At The Theatre

Theatre Royal Bath, UK Aug 17/17 - One last evening out with two of my favourite mates from the Camino. A play called Lady In The Van by Alan Bennett. An older, cantankerous, and slightly delusional woman parks her unsightly "home" on the author's front garden for what turns out to be 15 years. Bit of a laugh. I've parked myself here outside of Bath now for two weeks and it's time to go. Best not get too comfortable as it would be easy to stick around. Bye for now Corsham.

Biking To Bath

Bradford-On-Avon to Bath Spa, UK Aug 16/17 - Enjoying the scenic beauty of the English countryside. Christian and I on our borrowed bikes. The canal boats quietly coming and going. All of us moving along at our leisure. No one wanting to hurry up this perfect summer day. I count my blessings, pushing aside the thoughts that my time for leaving comes soon. Today I simply ride. Our destination, the Roman Baths. More beauty to discover.

Up, Up In The Air

Over Avebury Henge, Wiltshire, UK - First of all, I'm flying! And if that were all I could say, the day would be complete. But it continues on with a tour of the Cotswolds. A beautiful walk through English countryside. Visits to hidden away churches and villages untouched by the tourist trade. Horse whispering. Sheep encounters. Berry picking. And basically just continued bliss, that I'm frightfully aware will soon come to a close, ending this chapter of the elicamino. For now I will bask in the glory of this day.

MacMillan Way

Castle Coombe, Wiltshire, UK - No matter where you look in this part of England, you see a town or landscape that reminds you of a movie set... And chances are it has indeed appeared on the big screen, like this little village used in the movie War Horse. Surrounded by beautiful countryside with "public foot paths" that cross over brooks, walk you up hillside and along tree covered paths. We got our hiking shoes on, with map in hand and maps.me on phone and had a mini Camino day. A fun walk down memory lane... while feasting on blackberries.

Aleandri Tour

Bath, Somerset, UK Aug 13/17 - A return to this lovely Georgian style built city. Now joined by Camino pal Christian from Copenhagen. And lead by our most gracious host Mark. What tour would be complete without at least a pass by this g&t enthusiast's establishment. (Try to say those two words quickly.) No stopping to indulge. Just peeking in the windows. (Helped that the lights were out and the doors locked.) Ended the day with Shaun Of The Dead in keeping with all things English... add a smidgen of zombie.

Poldark Anyone?

Corsham, Wiltshire, UK - I'm afraid this is what my time on the Camino and now visiting the UK counties of Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire have amounted to. G&T and Poldark marathon. There's very little more I can say about that. Just a natural progression of events. Along with the combined effect of stones, henges and lay lines. I'm up to 4, 2 minute spurts of jogging in the morning. Life is a weird and wonderful concoction.

Croquet Anyone?

Wells, Somerset, UK Aug 10/17 - A perfectly English day, (this one's for you Jude) with a game of croquet about to begin on the lawn outside the Bishop's Palace, adjacent to the Cathedral (in background). And something new since arriving in the UK - the sun was shining! What more could one ask for? Shopping for a new dress and shoes? Tickets to the theatre? A chance to go flying? Pinch me! On second thought, please don't wake me up.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK Aug 9/17 - Rain and mist set the stage for a soggy visit to this prehistoric site. Not the spiritual experience one might expect, but captivating nonetheless. There remains no explanation for the ongoing time and effort gone into this massive stone structure, except to highlight our continuing fascination with the universe and our relationship to it... As small, yet highly significant beings. Even the sparrow does not fall to the the earth without notice. (Matthew 10:29)

Ethereal Moment

Bath Abbey, Somerset, UK Aug 7/17 - It's one of those moments when time stands still. Lost in the beauty of this old abbey. Caught up in a display of butterflies, promoting the uniqueness of the individual within a group. Each with our own design and form. Moving together as a swarm in the gentle air currents that help us to migrate from where we are to where we are going. It's easy to lose sight of the single butterfly.

Lesser Known Henge

Avebury, Wiltshire, UK Aug 6/17 - I'm in the land of mysterious stone formations and encircling henges. This one in Avebury is actually the largest in England. And one where you can still get up close and personal with the stones... Walk along a higher than imagined mound, built up from a deep ditch... Encounter a few sheep and Druid like characters... And ponder like generations before the reason behind it all. Nothing mystical to report other than the urge to get up and go for a run today.

The Structure of Things

Lacock, Wiltshire, UK - I find myself in a new county with a new story... And my own little part of that story evolving. I'm with a "mate" from the Camino exploring this old Abbey... turned home... turned museum... turned set for some scenes in Harry Potter. I wonder if the nuns, who came to this room faithfully each day to read one chapter from the bible, had ever contemplated such an eventuality. I wonder at my own series of events that brought me to this place... and the chapters to come.

Sand, Surf, Sun

Paignton Beach, Devon, UK - The essentials for the start of a good day. A bright, wave slapping, coastal walking kind of a day. Add in a thatched roof village, an art centre with working artisans and a woodland stroll. Top it off with over the top amusements including giant Ferris wheel and old fashioned merry-go-round and the day is done. Take out chips and one last walk on the beach while the sun goes behind a cloud and it's good night English Riviera.

Just Another Rainy Day

Kingswear, Devon, UK - What do you do when your head aches and it's pouring rain? On the south coast of Devon, you could go out, get soaked, hop on a bus, cross a river by ferry, go to the very pretty town of Dartmouth, visit the shops dripping wet, dry off and warm up with a latté and chocolate twist pastry, cross back on the ferry, and wait for the bus to take you back to your cosy room with the best hot shower. While waiting you could capture this shot of an old steam engine with a car with your name on it. Zoom in! "Elizabeth"... This was your day!

Evening Stroll

Goodrington, Devon, UK - Not everyday is a grand event, but everyday is new. Today I fell into pace with the name of my guesthouse, Lazy Days. Taking a gentle walk along the coast after feeling poorly early on. Very sad that my beautiful scrambled eggs and smoked salmon breakfast went mostly uneaten. Tragic! Hoping tomorrow's start will be better. Being well cared for here, nonetheless. Thankful for my comfy bed.

On New Shores

Paignton Pier, Devon, UK - Discovered a new coastline today with red sand beaches like Prince Edward Island. And with all kinds of amusements like on this long stretch of pier. Already started a collection of beach glass... My backpack gets heavier with each new offering from the sand. I blame my Camino buddy Balázs for getting me hooked on this new pastime... A very tranquil activity. Good for the soul.

Rainbow Ending

Penberth, Cornwall, UK - It was a picture perfect day with a colourful punctuation mark! For those of you who watch the series Poldark, you may recognize this boat launch site and pretty little cove used in the series. I had a full Cornish day with personal tour guide Caroline who I met at the Atlantic Shore knitwear shop, just along the street from my cottage. A fast made friend, and the pot of gold treasure from my time here in St. Ives. Another goodbye. Onward I go...

The Shops

St. Ives, Cornwall, UK - At any given moment, this is what the little streets look like in the downtown, harbour area. Now imagine a car or delivery van trying to pass through. I learned that the town is mostly made up of visitors and summer residents now. If you go to the local pub, you'll not find locals. And the older, family run businesses are becoming fewer. Seems sad. Makes the tea biscuit from S.H.Ferrell & Son at the corner taste even better. The family is up at 2:30am baking!! That's dedication.

Fisherman's Cottage

The Grey Mullet, St. Ives, Cornwall, UK - This much photographed guesthouse in the heart of a bustling downtown is home for now. Tucked away in the back apartment. I've had my little beach retreat with a lot of rest and just a little walking. Now what? Been looking all day at possible walking tours in England and Wales. And there are many. It's more vast than I ever imagined. And I'm feeling a bit lost. Guess I'll stay cozy in my little "cottage" just a wee bit longer.

To Zen and Back

St. Ives to Zennor Coastal Path, Cornwall, UK July 26/17 - Seemed like a very doable afternoon hike until I realized half way back, and getting tired, that the length of the trek was in miles rather than km. Longer still if I include time spent losing my way, including one very unfortunate and misjudged short cut which ended up being a rabbit trail through neck high brambles. My poor legs were a bloody, muddy mess when I re-emerged onto the proper path. The scars of a true adventurer... Or fool. Otherwise a fun walk, crossing fields, climbing rock steps, cow and sheep encounters... The works!