On Sunday June 16 we arrived at my cousin, Karen and her husband Charles’ home Hollymead, in Ellesmere after a 22 hour flight. We left home at 630 on Saturday morning, Australian time, lost a day along the way and landed in Manchester at 630 am Sunday morning, English time. Back home, many people talked about the little, narrow roads in England but it is hard to fathom until you actually drive on them! We travelled on the motorway for a while and discovered most cars ignore the speed limit of 70 miles per hour. We felt like we were standing still as car after car zoomed passed us.
We crossed into Wales and then back into England as we headed towards our destination. Travelling through the smaller towns saw us lost on numerous occasions, with frantic messages
going back and forth to Karen who was providing us instructions. Eventually we found our way. The roads twist and turn, the hedges hug
going back and forth to Karen who was providing us instructions. Eventually we found our way. The roads twist and turn, the hedges hug
the road and there is no curb side to speak of. Dog walkers take their pooches for a stroll under threat of collision at all times. The windy roads make it impossible to see what is
around the bend, yet locals travel without caution. The road signs are low to the ground so Australians used to seeing them on street signposts high into the air need to again
change their process and thinking.
change their process and thinking.
Karen and Charles’ home is quintessentially English. Green foliage as far as the eye can see, birds, mainly Gold Finches flit in and out of squirrel proof feeders and happily chirp
away. Squirrels scamper up and down the trees and pheasants walk freely through the
towns and home gardens. The summer temperature is a cool 13-16 degrees, the wind chill is crisp.
They have had so much rain, we cannot imagine what it is like anymore from a drought perspective.
towns and home gardens. The summer temperature is a cool 13-16 degrees, the wind chill is crisp.
They have had so much rain, we cannot imagine what it is like anymore from a drought perspective.
A brief stroll through Ellesmere gave us the opportunity to see the narrow boats in action, enjoy watching a large
gaggle of geese and white swans swim in the lake
surrounded by a large public park before having afternoon tea overlooking the lake. Once you reconcile with the fact that dogs could be inside the restaurant with their owners,
we enjoyed cake and English coffee and tea. Jet lag hit us both by evening and we gave into it by 730 pm Sunday
night.
gaggle of geese and white swans swim in the lake
surrounded by a large public park before having afternoon tea overlooking the lake. Once you reconcile with the fact that dogs could be inside the restaurant with their owners,
we enjoyed cake and English coffee and tea. Jet lag hit us both by evening and we gave into it by 730 pm Sunday
night.
Twelve hours later we felt revived and ready to venture out into the region. Our hosts are especially welcoming and make it easy to settle into their home. Continuing our journey on Monday morning, we arrived in Oswestry and ambled through the town, finding a phone shop ( local SIM card a necessity), antiques bazaar and independent book store (supported the local economy).
After our brief introduction to English shopping, we headed towards Karen’s parents home. My dad’s brother David and his wife Ellen. David is very poorly and now bedridden, the resemblance to dad is strong. Aunty Ellen is his full time career and dedicated to his welfare during such a difficult time. They visited Australia in 1976, Karen has memories of camping in Australia. I’m afraid I was too little to recall any of this trip. Aunty Ellen remembers me as a little girl with long blonde, wavy hair. They last saw Mum and Dad in 1991 when they made a brief visit back to Wales to see the family. After bidding them goodbye, Charles took us for a drive to Dad’s old home. It is now a cleared paddock overlooking the Calvinist chapel they had to attend every Sunday, a three mile walk! The area is remote but ruggedly beautiful.
Lunch was held in Shrewsbury, late in the afternoon, in a quirky cafe with delicious food and a marvellous assortment of teas. We continued to stroll through the local public park and stood in awe of the beautifully manicured gardens.
Seats with small plaques line the garden, the plaques have tributes written on them for those who have passed. A thoughtful and public gesture acknowledging loved ones,
while providing seating for those who enjoy the park each day.
A well earned rest was had at The Armoury, a pub overlooking the River Severn. Sampling the local choices we again supported the local economy.
Our day ended, similar to many evenings back at Rivergum, with platters of delectable bites from cheeses, to chutneys and olives with a kick. Washed down with some Australian red wine that we brought over, the evening was mellow and filled with chatter. The sun does not set until just after 10pm by which time my eyes were heavy.
Today will be a day of mixed emotions as we return dad to his homeland of Wales.
Until then,
N
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