In Which the Earl of Don and His Lady Marylee Conclude Their Travels to the Far Shores of Englande

Our final port of call, B & B wise, was a tiny hamlet just outside Cambridge. The rambling farmhouse was jam packed with gorgeous antiques, a hostess who could talk for Texas, and a dog named Lily.

Outside were surprises around every corner from cosy patios...

... to ancient mill stones.
The following day we hit the hallowed halls of Cambridge. Well, the streets anyway.




And the river Cam. No trip to Cambridge is complete without a bit of punting!

Our fabulous tour guide and captain of the ship. Whose name I've long since forgotten.

A Really Really Olde Bridge. Like super old. Like 400 years old. Or something.

Not really. Seeing as how it's wood and all.

It's called the Mathematical Bridge and the original was built in the 15th century for some clever reason by some clever person. It's been rebuilt several times since. The current bridge is only about 20 or 30 years old, more's the pity. Fortunately there's lots of other Really Really Old Stuff to ogle.

After all our punting, we were famished, so where else to partake of Afternoon Tea than Auntie's Tea Shop!


The scones weren't nearly as good as the ones at A La Ronde in Devon, but they were still darned tasty.

And that, my dear friends, was that. We headed back to London to recover before the Noble Parents boarded their winged coach back to the Shires of Idaho. Back to bumbling about the country on my own.

Suddenly I find myself craving scones... hmmm....

In Which the E of D, LM and LP Visit the Shires of Yorke

For those of you still in disbelief about my parents stepping food inside pubs, here is proof:


They even ENJOYED it.

I know. Shocking.

After walking over hill, dale and Hadrian's wall, we were knackered. We headed straight for York and our guest house.


No, unfortunately it wasn't this guest house. Would of been nice, but I think it was a bit rich for our budget. However, our guest house was on a nice quiet street and was clean and comfortable, which suited me fine. It was also in close walking proximity to City Centre, which suited me even better.

Naturally, we had to hit the Roman Baths in York. A trip, any trip, wouldn't be complete without visiting the Baths!

These baths were quite cool because they had an interesting collection of items from the Roman Occupation, such as weapons...
...writing implements (In keeping with the theme of our entire England tour.)...

... graffiti (No Roman settlement is complete without it. "Gladius Maximus is gonna kick Harius Minimus's backside", etc.)...

... and toilet paper. You read that right. Toilet paper. It's reusable. Good for the environment. The Romans were all about Green living. Who knew!

While we were there, Mom decided to join up. Doesn't she look fetching in her helmet?

We also took the opportunity to meet up with my mate, Jimbo (Say "hi" to the nice people, Jimbo.). Of course his name isn't actually Jimbo, it's James, but I don't think I've ever called him James. Ever. That would be weird.

I don't have a picture of Jimbo, 'cause he's camera-shy. But one of these days...

After a lovely afternoon in York, we hit the road on our way to Cambridge. A punting we will go...

In Which the E of D, LM and LP Spend Time With Romans and Walk the Wall of Hadrian

The original Roman mile marker was our first sign we were getting close. Or it would have been if we'd known what we were looking at the first time we walked by it. Fortunately, by the second time we walked by, we had achieved enlightenment.


We were close to this:
The Great Wall of Barbarians. Otherwise known as Hadrian's Wall.



Ok, fine. It's only known as Hadrian's Wall. But that's completely beside the point.

If you know me well, you know my fondness for Really Old Roman Stuff. And the Wall pretty much qualifies. Built a bajillion years ago (about 1900, give or take) to mark the edge of the Roman Empire and keep out the Barbarian Horde.

Barbarians being pretty much anyone who wasn't Roman. Like these two:

Nearly 300 years later the last Roman stood watch on the wall before the Empire hightailed it out of Britain for good. Roman shoes probably weren't nearly as cool as my trainers, though.
Are you tired of me saying "the views were amazing" yet?



Well, if the shoe fits.

I'm not sure this stone is actually Roman. Well, the stone was probably most definitely around at the same time the Romans were, I'm just not sure the arrow was carved in it by the Romans. But I like to think so.

This possibly Roman arrow points the way to Housesteads, one of the best preserved Roman forts along the wall.
The well was set outside the walls, believe it or not. I never understood why people built essential things like wells OUTSIDE fortifications. Makes no sense to me.
These carvings were originally INSIDE the walls. Probably in the temple.
The original inspiration for the statue of Aphrodite. HA!

The West Gate and the REAL reason these forts were built... TAXES!!!!!!!!!!

The more things change, eh?

Other important buildings sprinkled throughout the fort, like the Commander's Quarters, the Hospital, and the Baths.



After satisfying my need for Really Old Roman Stuff, we jumped in our chariot and headed to York...