a busy weekend

And a busy weekend it has been. On Saturday we drove to Stratford upon Avon and had a look around there, and if you have never been to Shakespeare's birth place, it is worth a visit. Only a small place, but because of the bard, busy with tourists. Not that I know anything about him, but the history and ancient buildings are worth seeing.  Below is Shakespeare's birthplace.

 Then after that we drove onto Warwick about half an hour away. This was a quiet place when we were there, although it is probable that we missed part of it. The photo I have put in is of 'Eastgate'. This building first built in 1420 fascinated me, as it was used for hundreds of years as part of a school nearby and has now been purchased and remodeled as a private residence available for hire. The link will tell you the prices, but if you could afford it, that would be quite the place to stay.

 After that we moved on to the hotel in Walsall that we had booked for the night. Another holiday inn by Express. We like these for a short stay. They are clean and comfy with all the amenities you need. Breakfast is included in the price, but as we were going for a Sunday lunch, we just had some toast and a hot drink.

And then onto the real reason for this weekend away. We had been given as a Christmas present from my brother and his wife, a riverboat cruise dining experience.  This was on the canals in Birmingham centre, and was a three course Sunday lunch.

We boarded at just before twelve, set off shortly after, being served by waitresses, a very pleasant choice and as the boat only does about four miles an hour, just a gentle relaxing time. It lasts about three hours, and is so easy going. The food was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone.  

These narrow boats are not the easiest to get into and as they are only six foot ten inches at the widest, not for the disabled. That would be the only downside though.  A couple of photos below of narrow boats. 

 The bottom one is the one we took the cruise on. At over seventy foot long, these have to be turned around with care! 

And the last photo is of my lovely partner Denise. Of all the photos I took, this is the one that I think came out best.

 

The first day

We drove up to Birmingham to stay in an 'Express by Holiday inn that we had booked for a night. Of course we were a bit early so decided to drive into Birmingham centre to have a look at the German Market that was there.

It was quite a show with stalls containing German Christmas stuff right up the whole main street. We did not by anything but the whole thing was interesting and they were very busy. I have put in two photos taken on that day. Frankfurt Market

Then back to the hotel to book in and get to bed for the evening. To do that I had to drive through 'Brum' at peak hour and oh boy! Is it busy! I am used to driving in a city during peak hour as Cardiff gets heavily congested, but Birmingham is a whole different experience. Of course in Cardiff I know the short cuts and can often take a different route, and in Birmingham I really am a stranger, but even so that is one congested city.

To anyone looking to book one of these overnight type hotels I can recommend the 'Express by Holiday Inn'. The price for the two of us was £55 and that included breakfast and it was a very comfortable stay.

Some time off

Well that is work done for the next six days. We are driving up to Birmingham today and will stay overnight and visit the Germand Christmas market in the town centre. Then off to Butlins in Skegness on Friday for a weekend of 60's type music. The best there has ever been!

We have not been away since May when we went to Ireland and we are really ready for this break. It is really a celebration as our 40th anniversary is a week later and this is a bit special for us.

And a little joke to finish off with...

An elderly woman went to her local doctor’s office and asked to speak with her doctor. When the receptionist asked why she was there, she replied, “I’d like to have some birth control pills.”

Taken back, the doctor thought for a minute and then said, “Excuse me, Mrs. Glenwood, but you’re 80 years old. What would you possibly need birth control pills for?”

The woman replied, “They help me sleep better.”

The doctor considered this for a second, and continued… “How in the world do birth control pills help you sleep?”

The woman said, “I put them in my granddaughter’s orange juice, and I sleep better at night.”