Having completed The Path, it was back to London for The Nomad:
When visiting London it is not necessary to stay in town at pricey hostelries. Consider the Travelodge at Morden (end of Northern Line Tube) for only 26 gbp and try a local English fry up at the Central Cafe across from the hotel. Get a travelcard at any tube station for 5.70 gbp and you can use the trains after 9.30 am and the buses and tubes all day. A great, cheap way to get around the city.
While you’re there, take the Original Tour. The bus tour includes a great two hour cruise on the Thames, and has an excellent guide commentary. You can get on and off the bus at will during your tour.
Other must visit sites are of course are The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Thames Path walkway and the Cheshire Cheese pub on Fleet Street.
Next, it was onto The New Forest and the South of England. Things to do here include enjoying a pleasant walk or drive in the New Forest and visiting Poole and Corfe Castle in Dorset. While there, try to find Breamore House near Fordingbridget, the Queens Arms at Birley or the Cross Keys at Mannington for good pub grub, a pint, or tea and coffee.
The Nomads Tips for Driving in the UK.
- Stay away from Motorways if you want to see the countryside or want a relaxing drive.
- Take A or B or white roads.
- Stop at village pubs or tea shops and walk around the next corner to local churches for some free history lessons.
- Buy your lunches at local bakeries or deli’s and find a quiet place to picnic and feed the ducks.
- Beware of White Vans in your rear-view mirrors!
- Get used to tailgaters in your rear-view mirrors!
- Watch out and slow down for all speed cameras.
- Keep on the left unless getting off of the ferry in France!
- Try and enjoy traffic roundabouts by only going around once!
- Rent a small car if only 2 people - you’ll get better gas mileage (40 - 50mpg) and the smaller car makes it easier to enjoy driving the small country lanes.
- Get quotes on rental cars. Rates vary quite a bit between companies.
- My quotes for 25 days with a drop-off at Manchester Airport were:
Keydrive 595 gbp - Europcar 525 gbp - Alamo 509 gbp - Enterprise 430 gbp - 1car1 423gbp - Kendal and Thrifty had no drop-off
…so take care and do your homework!
Crop Circles…believe them or not!
I have always been curious and fascinated by Crop Circles, both in Wiltshire and around the world, so I had to stop at the Avebury Stone Rings (Sarson Stones) to learn more. Unfortunately I was a little late in the year to see them, so I’ll have to return again with my info book in hand. Something is out there!
Even though there were no crop circles, this part of England is a great place to enjoy country walks and drives. Places to visit around here are Marlborough, Calne, Devizes and Pewsey. And don’t forget to check out the Chalk Horses and ancient settlement areas dating from 4,000 BC.
The Nomad