We’re leaving for Blackpool this morning after having had a great time with Ray’s sister Di, her husband John and their kids Chris & Georgia and Di’s dad Harry. Went to watch Georgia play soccer on Saturday morning in typical English soccer weather – freezing cold, windy and rainy! But it was a great game and Georgia’s team (Perrywood) won 4-2 with Georgia kicking the first goal.
We spent a couple of evenings at their local, the Meadowlark, (which is conveniently located just across the road), having a pub meal one night and then participating in their raucous weekly quiz night the second. Our table won thanks to ‘Ant’ who has a mine of information tucked away.
John took us down to visit the local limestone tunnels which was fascinating and the girls even got to do a big of ‘legging’ on the boat coming back. The Black Country – as the west Midlands is known - has a very interesting history, but unfortunately we don’t have time to see it all.
On Sunday we all took a car trip down to south Wales and visited Tintern Abbey, a 1,000 year old Cistercian monastery, and also the castle at Monmouth where, we learnt, King Henry V was born. We drove through some beautiful Welsh countryside and villages which was almost worth the trip itself.
Thanks John, Di, Chris, Georgia & Harry for your great hospitality and all the home cooked meals.