Our next-but-last day in England. We are slowly getting closer and closer to Birmingham, but have run out of map, so we're steering by the GPS towards Birmingham Airport. It's a bit confusing, especially as the small roads tend to end up in big roads, if you don't have a map to steer by. After about 40 kms, we stopped at a pub in the small village of Hampton Lucy between Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon and asked for directions to the nearest B&B. We were pointed towards Sandborn Farm, a lovely old farmhouse surrounded by fields. The price was a bit higher than usual (£25 p.p.), but the room and bathroom are lovely, and there is a nice little sitting-room with TV. The only snag is that it will take all our ready cash, so only if the nearby pub takes credit cards, will we get any supper. (This seems to be a recurring problem!). To be on the safe side, we decide to cycle to Stratford to draw some cash and buy a map of the remaining distance. Dinner at Stratford and a lovely ride back to Hampton Lucy.
Hampton Lucy to Warwick
Thursday 31 July 1997
The weather is wet and windy today as we cycle towards Warwick. We head
straight for the Castle which differs entirely from the Welsh castles we
have seen by having been in use right up to the time it was converted into
a museum. Two periods in the history of the castle have been illustrated
with settings of wax figures: 1471 which shows the elaborate preparations
for war of the time, and 1898 which brings us to a house-party with several
of the famous men of the day, Churchill, the Prince of Wales etc. Both
scenes are very life-like and interesting. In between these two periods,
the other rooms of the castle reflect the changing fashions of lifestyle
of the very rich. In the grounds of the castle, various medieval pastimes
are enacted by live figures in period clothes. All very tastefully done,
and watched by hundreds of spectators.
Through the Tourist Office we find accomodation at a former pub in
Warwick, a bit cramped, but nice people.
Warwick to Copenhagen
Friday 1 August 1997
The weather is still grey and occasionally wet as we make our way towards
Birmingham. The map helps us to find small country lanes until we are practically
at the Airport. On the way we visit St Michael's church near Baddesley
Clinton, and a church lady points us in the direction of a small manor
house in the vicinity owned by the National Trust, but we have to be satisfied
with a look from the outside, we haven't got time to wait till it opens.
We're in good time at the Airport, time to ready the bikes for air
transport (removal of the pedals, turning of the handlebars, and letting
the air out of the tires) and putting them in the plastic bags provided
by BA.
We're back in Copenhagen by 7. It's a perfect evening, and we enjoy
our last ride through the city where the traffic seems quieter than the
rather agressive ways of English drivers. Altogether very nice to be home
again.