A fine day for a drive and I was up and out early. My sleep was disturbed by an alarm going off somewhere in the area and the birds started at 4.30, as they did yesterday. However I’m not complaining about them because they’re lovely. They’d be lovelier still if they woke up at 7.00.
As I was leaving my room I found a little bag of snacks outside the door. The hotel keeper had said she would do this as I wasn’t staying for breakfast. The hotel is without a chef and so can’t do meals at the moment and she is short of other staff too, poor thing. An hour do so down the road I stopped to sample the goodies and tried a chocolate croissant, from a packet, that bore no resemblance to a croissant. There was also a can and I was amazed to discover that it was a can of still water. The label said they use aluminium cans because they’re totally recyclable.
Most of my journey south was on the M6 as I had to return the car by 2.00 and couldn’t dilly dally on the slow, scenic roads. I called in to a “Services” stop expecting a dirty, unpleasant, Greasy Joe’s sort of place and was very pleased to find a clean, bright venue with all sorts of real food and even a “farm” shop. Had a good cup of coffee and a nice piece of rhubarb cake.
As I’d made good time on the road I was able to detour to Stockport before returning the car. Fortunately Stockport is very close to the airport. I wanted to see the mural that is made of plastic bottle caps. It was fantastic and I was able to go right up and have a good look at it. There are quite a few of these murals now but this was the first.
Am now tucked up in the Ibis Hotel, just across the road from the airport. It only took me 5 minutes to walk here from the terminal where the shuttle dropped me off. And what luxury, a lift instead of stairs. The downside is absolutely no atmosphere or coziness.
What a day of interesting finds. Loved the bottle top murals - impressed by the variety of colour and size of tops and the way they were used. Food was also a variety of experience!!
ReplyDeleteps. re Corbridge…lucky there was not a queue at the washing kiosk or your day would have been quite stuffed! Intrepid you listening to the guide whilst slowly freezing. En Route…Nature needs to re-programme those sweet birds; last vestige of quiet country driving. Very impressive Roadhouse architecture and fancy food. Super murals, such a great and obvious idea👍👍. Do we note the viaduct that you saw? Three cheers for cute and cosy, however, modern comforts are also easy to take in between😄. Safe Travels and “ on to the next stop.” ( an expression that Tony used many times on family holiday videos , much to the annoyance of our cool, teenage children🤣)
ReplyDeleteWell done Heather. Everything is obviously going to plan. Happy travels to the continent.
ReplyDeleteThanks again. All well here.
ReplyDeleteLoving your blog Heather. That mural of bottle caps is amazing .. reminds me of the year you had everyone saving teabag tags for the school concert backdrop!
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