UK Intermissions

Cardiff Castle Tower

Thank goodness for good friends.  Our around-the-world trip began and ended in England.  Upon our Heathrow arrival, we headed to Blundston, a small village at the edge of the Cotswolds to visit our friends the Beckwiths: Sarah, James, Courtney, Jeremy and 4 footed Tegen.  We had visited the Beckwiths before we started our around-the-world trip and it was wonderful to catch up with them.  Mark and James have known one another since their early days in the military.   While they watched sports, Sarah and I enjoyed some long dog walks and girl time. 

On Monday, when James had to return to work and the children back to school, Sarah, Mark and I headed to Cardiff, Wales.  Mark was happy to add another country to our list—30 so far on our adventure.  Cardiff is about 2 hours west of Blundston.  It’s a lovely city dominated by Cardiff Castle.  

Cardiff Castle:  The Keep

Cardiff Castle in the early 19th century

The castle dates back to the 1^st century.  The Roman Emperor Claudius invaded Britain in 43AD.  The Romans made it to Wales about 30 years later, though the Welsh proudly state that the Romans were never able to completely conquer Wales.   When the Romans left around 400AD, it appears that the castle site was abandoned.  It wasn’t until the Norman invasion in 1066 that the castle site once again became a stronghold of Welsh resistance.  However in 1081, the Normans quelled the Welsh and William the Conquer built a new castle in the remains of the old Roman fort. 

Perfect for a small dinner party

Cardiff Castle during WWII:  The canteen

Throughout the subsequent years the castle has many owners and has been used as a fort, home, and during WWII, a hospital and bomb shelter.  Today the Cardiff Castle  is a museum.

Cardiff lane

Our ride back to Blundston was memorable when a motorcyclist indicated one of our tires was going flat.  Mark was able to demonstrate his tire changing skills with a little help from Sarah.

Sarah and Mark hard at work

Sarah also shared one of her favorite springtime walking spots with us, a National Trust Park called Badbury Clump. 

This couldn't be real

Sarah and Tegen

Badbury Clump adored with bluebells

As much as we enjoy England, the weather was a bit of a problem.  Rain was predicted for 10 days and it was bone-chilling cold.  With a limited wardrobe and having grown unaccustomed to the cold, Mark with fortune smiling upon him, found us an eight day Egyptian holiday with Memphis Tours.  By taking EasyJet, a low-cost carrier, similar to Southwest in the States, we were able to afford this treat.  Our Egyptian blog is forthcoming. 

After Egypt we once again returned to England, this time for less than 48 hours.  While we were in Egypt we learned that England’s weather was not improving so we decided to head out again, this time to Spain.  We had hoped to connect with my uncle Dave who lives in Southern England but unfortunately he wasn’t well so we slept in, played on the Internet and took a walk into the lovely little village of Charlwood about a mile from the Russ Hill Hotel.  What a delight to find a Norman-styled church completed in 1683.  Of course I didn’t bring my camera. 

So we are back at Gatwick, this time at 3:45AM for our 5:50AM flight.  Who said traveling isn’t work?