Last Day, Oxford and other Wanderings

This was our day to have a quick morning visit to Oxford.  A 58 minute train trip had us there in three stops and we wandered about.  Unfortunately exams are in progress so much was off limits to visitors.  We did manage to get a bit of a taste despite that fact and returned to the station just in time to get an extremely stuffy train back to London.

Our little journey began and ended at Paddington Station, a short walk from our hotel.  The station has a glassed shopping area and pigeons wander about the station, sometimes venturing into it.  I was a little taken aback as I stopped in to buy a drink and passed a station official with a live hawk perched on her fist.  Whether merely a deterrent or an actual predator I did not wait to determine.

After a short recovery from the heat we went our separate ways, I back to Camden Town and Ray to some major tourist sights downtown.

Camden Town surprised me again by revealing even more of its bustling crannies around the locks.  It often seemed more crowded than some popular central attractions.  The punkers are still there with their Doc Martens and Mohawks and I have always (sometimes secretly) identified with them.

Here are my day's photos;

A Taste of Oxford

The Bodleian Library

Canal Development North of our Hotel

(I came upon this unexpectedly on one of my local walks)

More of Camden Town Locks

We fly back tomorrow but stay tuned for video updates as they are processed,

Jim

Later in the Trek

We had some rather shaky network connections in Newcastle so this blog entry is significantly delayed.
Our last cycling leg was approximately 33 miles and went fine.  We ended at the Priory in Tynemouth around 1:30 and were picked up shortly thereafter.  The bikes were returned and we were dropped off at the Jesmond Hotel where we had started.

My Video

Ray's Video

Here we are all wet and tired at the finish;

Next day we took the train from Newcastle to London where we are now situated. After a little bit of orientation we have gone our separate ways each day.  Tomorrow we will zip off on a half day's trip to Oxford.  Then we'll have the afternoon to tie up our last little bits of discovery.

Ray has been doing the main sights and I have been keeping off the beaten track.  My highlights have been, Hampstead Heath, a canal boat trip in Camden Town, a little visit to Earl's Court, a visit to the Old Naval College and a ride down near Brixton.

I'm still uploading videos to my YouTube channel.  My user name is kaybikerow.

Here are a few more photos;

 Atop Hampstead Heath

Hampstead

Overturned Tree

Bustling Camden Town

An Overground Train in the System

Naval College Greenwich

Interesting Housing in Camden Town by the Canal

Canal Boats

Grave in Brompton Cemetery

Downhill Day to Corbridge

We've arrived in Corbridge after visiting Vindolanda, a Roman Settlement, and stopping in at a Roman fort a short distance from the end of the day's ride. This was a drizzly day where the roadway under a tree would be still dry but one wouldn't want to stand around in the breeze for too long.

There were a few steep climbs today but the majority of the ride was either level, a slight upward grade or a screaming downhill run.  Some of these were in very rutted roads so the full advantage of gravity had to be tempered by cautious braking.


This marks the 69th mile of the 100 mile journey.  Tomorrow we finish below the Priory in Newcastle.

Photos below, caption to follow, and videos to follow even later. One can only push a B&B internet connection so far.

My Scrambled Eggs

Couldn't Have Been Fresher

(Vallum Lodge, Twice Brewed)

My Video

Ray's Video

Ruins at Vindolanda

Vindolanda Museum

Corbridge Roman Fort

Later
Jim

Brewed, Once or Twice

We were internet disconnected last night in Brampton but today ended with us at Twice Brewed with good internet access.

The going was a bit rough with hill after hill.  I did have to push up one while Ray rode along in low gear.

My Video

Ray's Video

We did manage to stop at various sites along the way, both Roman and otherwise.  I'll include photos and videos below and tidy things up later.


We didn't get to meet our friend because it was too cold for him waiting for us to intersect paths. Did have a good chat on the phone though.

;

Newcastle Morning

It's almost 12:30 Eastern Time but it's post-shower preparation time here as we get our luggage and biking gear ready for today's transfer to Bowness-on-Solway.

Yesterday was spent in getting to Edinburgh Station and catching the train to Newcastle, transferring to the Newcastle Metro, travelling for three stops to Jesmond and walking to our hotel.  There was one tiny hitch in that I hadn't unpacked my carefully prepared walking instructions and instead followed the compass arrow on my GPS.  It did not take the railway tracks into consideration and we found ourselves directed to pass through a row of buildings to reach our destination in 1/10 of a mile.  A passerby offered help without prompt and pointed out the pedestrian overpass at the end of the street.

Ray and I now how separate rooms, fortunate because I think my snoring was becoming an issue, and we've both been busily separating our cycling gear from our regular luggage.

Breakfast is served in 1-1/2 hours and our van will arrive at 9:00.

Next transmission should be from Brampton after our first day's cycling is complete.

Here's a small video of the route from Bowness-on-Solway to Brampton;

My Video

Ray's Video

Later,
Jim

Edinburgh Wrap-Up

This being our last full day in Edinburgh, and my needing a rest from constant walking, we decided to split up and explore things separately.  We had breakfast, Ray eating more courses than I could possibly consume, and then returned to our room to prepare for the day.  Suddenly the ear-splitting scream of the hotel fire alarm had us scurrying down the stairs and joining the other residents outside the main entrance braving the chilly winds.

Whatever the problem, it was quickly resolved and we proceeded on our separate ways.

Jim's Day

I purchased a Day Ticket and randomly rode buses, alighting when something caught my interest in different neighbourhoods.  I stopped for lunch in a charming little coffee shop near the Foot of Leith Walk where I had an egg and ham sandwich, lentil soup and an americano coffee.

Here are my photos from today as well as some from yesterdays walks;

Ray piloting the Royal Yacht Britannia ...

...and entering the Drawing Room.

Edinburgh Castle from the northwest. 

Support for gay marriage on St. John the Evangelist Church.

St. Cuthbert's Churchyard.

Park and stream below Comiston Road.

 Former Donaldson's School for the Deaf 

(Across the road from our hotel)

Ray's day;

(to follow)

Serendipitous Walk

We did the typical tourist deal this morning; Camera Obscura, Fudge Shop, cathedral... and then we made our way to Ocean Terminal and toured the Royal Yacht Britannia.  On the way up I told Ray about the cute pub, Elbow, that I liked so we stopped off on our return journey to have fish and chips and beer.  We  left and saw that the 36 bus Saturday schedule meant a half hour wait.  We decided to set off guided by my Garmin, and therein lies the story.  Following its cues we ended up on a delightful path by Leith Water as we meandered our way back to our hotel.  The weather has been lovely today so here are a couple of my photos from the walk.  Ray was taking photos with his Blackberry so I'll attach them after we make the data connection.

Jim