I'm too old for this shit

At the end of my spring break seems like the right time for an update. I have seen a lot and got another hit on my bucket list so overall a success. So starting at Easter. A few days at home recovering from the term were definitely in need. Followed by a day trip to London. In typical English fashion, it rained. But this didn't stop me trekking about and walking from London Bridge to Canary wharf and Greenwich park. I walked under the Thames and caught a boat back to the train station. In all, a good spot of exercise.

On the 8th I headed off on my road trip in my rental car, a Renault Clio with stupid European controls. Seriously, if you change the side of the steering wheel, swap around the damn indicators too. Soon got used to driving again, however dealing with other motorists and the motorways took longer. I headed West, stopping for a photo at Windsor before carrying on to Stonehenge near Amesbury (NOT Salisbury). The monument itself was smaller than I expected. However it was eerily quiet considering how close to the motorway it was and how many people were there. Also it is impressive by the mere fact that as far as you could see was chalk hills and burial mounds yet here are huge rocks that have come all the way from Wales.

From here I went on to try and find the Bulford Kiwi. I think I succeeded but could not find a good place to get a picture. I carried on South until I got to West Bay on the Jurassic coast. I had originally planned to crash here but it was pretty rubbish so I carried on West eventually stopping in Exeter which to be honest wasn't brilliant. Still, I saw the cathedral and quayside which was quaint. The good thing about down here was the decent hills, but the coast still disappointed me. So Friday morning I carried on to Widemouth bay on the Atlantic coast and stood in the ocean for a bit watching some tiny waves roll in a people trying to surf them. I soon tired of this and headed North through Exmoor forest with its winding roads and steep hills then crossed the bridge into Wales.

Friday and Saturday night I spent in Cardiff and it was a lot of fun. Reminded me a lot of home Wales did, in that its green, lots of sheep and very friendly. I saw the castle, the bay, the barrage and the Dr Who exhibition by day and by night, drank too much and visited the pubs. Also saw many people in costumes, most of whom seemed to be there for stag or hen parties. A great city which I feel is very underrated. I stayed at a great hostel called Nos Da directly across the river from the rugby stadium. Sunday I carried on North through the Brecon beacons and Hereford to Birmingham. Birmingham was pretty neat, large shopping centres and lots of canals with some great live music and nightlife, even on a Sunday. I had a Roo burger at Walkabout overlooking the canal which was neat.

Monday I headed back Southeast home, but not before stopping off at Warwick castle. Very impressive this, with a working trebuchet, falconry, dungeons and towers. A bit expensive but well worth it. I even had a proper carvery meal in the castle overlooking the mill. Tuesday I drove through East of England, camping overnight on a hillside in Cromer which wasn't the most comfortable but had to be done. Finally on Wednesday I stopped off at Duxford air force museum. A huge place with interesting exhibits. I walked through a Concorde, stood beneath a Blackbird, and marveled at a B-52. Definitely have to return here as I saw less than half of the place.

All in all a very good break, saw some country, had some fun, drank too much, and took many a photo. Looking forward to my next break away to Scotland in June. Oh also, I have myself a new hat, a brown straw trilby. Let's see what the kids think of that.