Exploring the UK and Prague

Route: UK = Peak District – Oxford – New Forest – Cotswolds and Czech Republic = Prague

01.09.2016 - 30.10.2016

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2016

Since we started this five-year travel adventure, we have always spent time in Europe between more far-flung destinations. In 2016 we returned twice, briefly in June and for a longer period in September/October. This is partly for practical reasons but mostly to keep in touch with family and friends.
On the practical front, we find travelling around the world usually means coming via Europe to get to our next destination, so calling into the UK makes sense. We also need to attend to the usual life issues, such as medical and dental appointments, tax returns, picking up and dropping off travel items (not all destinations need the same items, for example you may need a snorkel & mask in the Caribbean but not in northern Norway, conversely thermals are handy in northern Norway but not in South East Asia), etc., etc.
And on the personal front we want to keep in touch with friends and family, because we may be having an amazing time travelling, but we do miss them. So when we are in the UK we do try and see as many people as possible during our visit.
Mostly our time is spent around Brighton & Horsham or in France, socialising or dealing with those life issues. But there is also time to explore new, more local, destinations, as was the case in September and October.

First off, we went on a UK adventure to visit parts of the country we didn’t know at all well.
The Peak District was our first location. Based in Sheffield, with unseasonably good weather, we spent a week exploring every corner of this beautiful part of the world.

Peak District

Bronte family connection

Grave of Little John (Robin Hood gang)

Peak District stone walling

Peak District scenery

Peak District

Chatsworth House

Our second location was very different, the historic city of Oxford. Although the weather was no so good, we spent a couple of days admiring the historic buildings and getting engrossed in its history.

Oxford

Punts in Oxford

Oxford

It was then off into the New Forest. An area of moorland and woodland that has been fashioned by man over many centuries to create this unique landscape that remains today. Based in the pretty town of Ringwood, we spent many enjoyable days hiking the area.

New Forest pony

New Forest

Form the New Forest; it was a short journey northwest to the Cotswolds. This is another beautiful part of England, with its own unique village architecture. And it was in one such village that we stayed, going by the name of Whichford. Our activities were of the usual kind, namely out exploring the countryside on foot.

Ancient stones in the Cotswolds

Cotswold ruins

Cotswold town

It was then back to London Gatwick for a short trip to mainland Europe. But not before a small detour via Coventry to see my rugby team, Wasps, play a match in the European Champions Cup. Anne cruelly said that the rugby match was the only reason I suggested the Cotswolds for a visit, whatever next.

Next stop the Czech Republic. We only had a week to spare, so we decided to concentrate our time exploring its capital, Prague. This turned out to be a wise move, as there was so much to see.

Prague Street Art