A jolly holiday

We recently took advantage of our new empty-nester status and the fact that Don was in the UK on business late in June. I flew over to meet him on July 1st. It was nice to arrive from a red-eye flight and be able to go directly to our hotel where Don was already checked in. (No pretending to sightsee through bleary eyes until our room was ready.)

While Don worked I did a little touring on my own, including the Tate Modern where I hadn't been before. We met one of Bryan's friends who is studying and working abroad for the summer one evening and it was fun getting his perspective on the Brits - all good.  

Blenheim Palace - Woodstock in The Cotswolds

After a day or two in London we drove northwest to the Cotswolds. Incredibly quaint and beautiful with lots of great towns all located near each other.  We stayed in Chippping Camden. Great restaurants and lots of sheep.  We also spent a day in Stratford-Upon-Avon where we did an entertaining walking tour with a talented guide.

Sheep & Cotswolds countryside

Don on Sheep Street, Chipping Camden - "Baaaaa"

From there we drove up to North Wales where we stayed in Conwy, a gorgeous walled town on the edge of the Irish Sea. Our B&B was right outside the walls. From there we could walk up the Conwy mountain for a better view of the sea and could drive through the beautiful valleys to see ... more sheep, and a slate mine. North Wales sheep cover a more rugged territory than Cotswold sheep if you're wondering.

Conwy Harbor & Castle

Then back to the London area where we spent our last night in beautiful Richmond, a trendy town on the Thames close to Heathrow. We caught a few World Cup games in pubs along the way but by this time England was beat out unfortunately. All in all it was a brilliant holiday!

Recommended reading:  The Welsh Girl