C2C 2010 Travel to St Bees
Our 30 hour air journey from check-in at Brisbane to leaving Heathrow was comfortable and uneventful. We stayed in and around London for 5 days doing touristy things (London Eye, Tower of London, Tate Gallery, 'Oliver' at Drury Lane Theatre) and visiting friends. This gave us a chance to recover from the flight and to soak up some of the environment, history and culture of England.
'Windsor Castle – Mary's neighbourhood when growing up'
'Lindfield, South Downs – visiting friends'
On Monday morning we met David and Robyn at Euston and caught a train heading for St Bees. We changed trains at Preston in drizzling rain to a train that went as far as Lancaster before breaking down. The replacement train took us through driving rain as far as Carlisle where we changed into a little 3 carriage train for St Bees. The heavy rain continued, and the sight of St Bees Head from the train through the rain and mist across a churning, grey Irish Sea made us wonder what it would be like walking over the headland next day.
'Stormy St Bees Head on the horizon, seen from the train'
Fortunately the rain eased as we made the short dash from St Bees station to Stonehouse Farm. After settling in to our rooms we walked around the village for an hour but were driven back to the B&B by a heavy shower. A little later we adjourned to the nearby Queens Hotel for a pleasant meal and to sample Jennings bitter. Graham had steak and ale pie and Mary had fish and chips, our default pub meals for the trip. It was still drizzling as we returned to our room.
We were excited to be starting our big adventure, and more than a little apprehensive.
'Pretty St Bees village and Queens Hotel'
'David, Robyn & Mary outside Stonehouse Farm'