Silverstone Bentley Weekend

We positioned ourselves on the top left corner, Copse Corner

Not the best of videos, but it does give a sense of the speed these bad boys are doing in 80 year old racers.

It was really heartening to see that racing Morgans are thriving and that they are still so much part of the day,

 along with the Bentleys.We did see a couple of waltzers, bur didn't catch them on camera.

Tewkesbury

In 1939, my grandad Wilson  photographed  The Olde Black Bear pub.  He was on a cycling holiday, starting in Lemington Spar and ending in Bridge North to take the tran back to Bolton in Lancashire. 

 This day, I was here with two of his great, great grandchildren, Isaac and Noah.  

Bidford-on-Avon

Granddad  Wilson was here in June 1939 on his epic bicycle ride from Leamington Spa to Bridgnorth and, since we were motoring by,

we just had to stop and stand, more or less where he stood 80 years ago.

The Malvern Hills

 After the Morgan factory visit, time for a little exercise,  walking the hills.

 Big sky's

 and big views all the way into Wales. Photographs cannot communicate the sense of  beauty on such a wide scale.  Awesome, in a try sense.

The Malvern hills form a north/south ridge to the east of which is Herefordshire and to the west of which is Worcestershire, giving you an unrestricted 360 degree view from the conical peaks.

Morgan Factory Visit

Had to bring the lads here, given the opportunity.  I had owned a Morgan for 40 years from 1963 when my Dad bought me a Series 1 4/4 for 25 pounds

 Henry Morgan on the first three wheeler he built  in 1909.

Fast forward 104 years, the latest model with her grandma in the background.  This beauty is as powerful as a F1 car.

 Isaac in rapped  attention.

Boys with our ultimate toy.

Gloucester Canal

 Best to start a journey well fueled....with pizza.

But before we go, a few lessons in mechanics.

And peering  into the past.

We are off.  The boat, The Queen Boadicea II, participated in the evacuation of Dunkirk. 

Someones floating home.

Lacock Abbey

During four days in October 2007 Lacock was also used to film some scenes for the sixth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

 

"NO,   don't go in there!!!"

A very atmospheric interior.

Lacock Abbey, dedicated to St Mary and St Bernard, was founded in 1229 by the widowed Lady Ela the Countess of Salisbury, who laid the abbey's first stone 16 April 1232, in the reign of King Henry III, and to which she retired in 1238

 Today, odd characters walk the cloisters.

Lacock Village

The whole village seems to be a living museum,

with lovely period house,

 great settings for film.

The crazy gang.

Cheltenham Steam Railway

Shop browsing before boarding.

Video king at work.

The lads.

Taking instruction on coupling.

Cheltenham Steam Railway.

Our train arrives and the section pass is handed over to the signal man.  On a single track railway, this pass is the permission the driver needs to enter the  section of the track ahead.

The engine reversing up to the train of carriages.  Our driver clearly enjoys his job!!!

Connecting the carriages to the engine,coupling and vacuum brakes.

Sixties style interior.   Love steam engines.

Cheltenham

The Pittville Pump Rooms,  the spa of the town.

In front of the Pump Rooms are gardens with a quaint tea room.

Hooke and all that.

Hooke Court, a 13th century manor house in the depths of the Dorset countryside, home to my long  term friends the Cooper family.  Here for Emma's 40th birthday.  Great weekend for a party.

And my next move will be?

Brecon

 

The old centre of Brecon.   Very Georgian.

 

But the mountains of Beacons are the thing.

Driving south,

under an amazing sky.

Cearphilly is the place.

Fifteen minutes drive from the centre of the town, isn't this wonderful?

And turn to the left.

Get in the car again and thirty minutes or so later you are on the coast.

Cold Knap this day was a little brighter that the last time we were here in April!!!

Abergaveny.

 Abergaveny Castle and the the start of the Brecon Beacons behind.

Stunning views all the way across the Beacons.