Wednesday 9 July 2014

How well do I know the UK?

In my past post I mused about where I might go next winter? To the Eastern sun? Fly Westerly?

But I was asked how well I know my own country? Why jet cross the world when Britain (and I include Scotland for now - I hope we don't lose it in September) - is so diverse and interesting?

She's right. This is a wonderful, exciting, and fascinating place. But I don't travel round it in the winter any more than I can help. Cold, wet stations or buses swishing along motorways with a view of misty wet fields don't excite me. Cities can be inviting, but on bad days can still be a battle with the weather. I'm not good at winters in the UK - my knees and I object to the cold and wet, and I hate the long dark days. Which is why I try to head for the sun after Christmas.

I know these winter wanderings can't on for ever. I might have to retire the rucksack some time between now and my ninetieth birthday. When long-distance travel begins to feel like and endurance test, I shall spend more time closer to home.

Having said all that, I know the place reasonably well - though there are gaps. I've never been to the north-east - and have heard it's beautiful. But, one way or another (holidays as a child or with my own children, and then work investigations that could send me anywhere) I've visited most of the rest of it at some time. That's not to say I know it all well, nor that there are places I don't long to revisit.

But I've not written about the UK. When I go walkabout from home (which I do occasionally) I rarely comment on it here. I think of it as escaping rather than travelling. I can sit by the harbour in Dartmouth and listen to the rattle of lanyards on the masts and not wonder how to shape that into a blogpost. I can puff up Pen-y-Fan in the Brecons without a word in my head. I can wander round the colleges in Oxford with nothing but memories of my days there in my head.

For sometimes I go to places and don't write about them. I have time off. And I don't tell you about it!! But maybe, sometimes, I need to think that differently. For there are stories wherever we look, and wherever we are, and next time one stares me in the face, I'll try to remember it and tell you.

By the way, I'm going to Ireland in the autumn. Just so you know.

17 comments:

  1. Oh thank you for that. I'm glad to read that you do know the UK well (though you're missing out if you've not done the North East) and I agree that it's not the best kind of place to travel around in winter. But I'd still love to read about your experiences of UK places. Maybe it's because I like to compare my views with other people's. I look forward to reading about Ireland!

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    1. You've made me think - always a good thing!

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  2. I have visited many fascinating places in the UK. I have visited many mediocre places abroad. Of course the same can be said in reverse but I do feel passionately that we should make the most of what we have on our doorsteps. It's like the Londoners who have never seen the Changing of the Guards or the people from Bangor who have never ventured to the top of Snowdon. I too look forward to reading about Ireland!

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    1. You're right - and I do my best, Ros. And I also think that it's a wonderful world, and the mind-broadening I get from travelling is equally valuable.

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  3. I've never been to Ireland, Northern or Republic. I have never been to the northeast either and I, too, have heard it's beautiful. It's funny how we travel to faraway places (in my case, Malaysia) and I've never been to eastern Cuba (yup, you read that right).

    Beautiful post.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Ah, Malaysia (I love Malaysia)... I made it to Camaguey, but no further east - next time, maybe.

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  4. Jo, I've been away from the UK for thirty four years, and although I go back now and then, it's generally only to visit family. I feel quite strongly now that I should re-visit the country of my youth as there is much of it I have never been to, do it's on my list. Of course, I'd like to do my travelling by boat, and as you know, I have something of a plan for next year…those Caen Hill locks are my Everest :) Now I've finished reading Vultures (one very very long journey today involving a points failure and a ridiculously meandering bus ride gave me the right opportunity), I feel a bit Jo Carroll bereft, so some snippets about your impressions of the UK would go down very well...

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    1. I will try to add a snippet or two from time to time, Val - and thanks again for all your kind words about my Vultures.

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  5. I love your differentiation between escapes and travels. Interesting way to look at it. I reckon I do a lot of escaping, because my hubby and I enjoy visiting various places around our state and the southeastern U.S. To us, a day trip is as good as a trip to the spa. (I guess... never BEEN to a spa!)

    Ireland! That will be fabulous.

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    1. I definitely distinguish between escapes and travels - but maybe if I'm going to write about the UK, I need to think about that a bit differently.

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  6. Whereabouts in Ireland? I do love to pass on my personal recommendations. Apart from Donegal, I have been to and lived all over.

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    1. I've got a hotel booked in Killarney - am going back to places I know and love, and went to when the children were small. No doubt it's changed, so any thoughts welcome.

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  7. Killarney is lovely in autumn, not so many tourist buses doing the ring of Kerry.

    If you are into walking, there is the Killarney National Park with many walks and even guides, but beware of the weather.

    Alternatively, the is the Beara peninsula just south of Killarney.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beara_Peninsula
    and the Beara Way:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beara_Way
    but I have recently been told that it has not been maintaned everywhere and some signs are lost.

    Kenmare Park Hotel is very posh but serves a spectacular afternoon tea and I kept my welly boots on inside, no bother.

    From Glengariff you can get a boat to Garnish Island (http://www.garnishisland.com/) with beautiful botanic gardens.

    Behind Glengarriff forest, a steep road brings you up to Barley Lake, one of the most stunning mountain lakes in Ireland: http://www.glengarriff.org/barley-lake/

    If you are mobile and want to explore further south (West Cork) or north (Dingle), let me know.

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    1. I'm hiring a car, so am mobile, but much will be dependent on the weather. Have been there before, sounds as if not much has changed!

      Hope to do plenty of walking, won't be able to resist the mountains but also need to spend some time by the sea. Bit of a trip down memory lane for me - do hope weather holds!!

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    2. If I had the oppportunity to be in/near Killarney I would try and climb Carrantuohill, but it's a tricky one and I had to turn back twice because of the weather.
      Alternatively, I suggest a drive along the northern shore of the Beara peninsula - or even all the way around. But certainly including the Healy Pass, a magnificent drive in any weather. The Beara peninsula is in my opinion much more dramatic (scenery) and less crowded than the Ring of Kerry of even Dingle. If you go there ask for directions to Glen Inchiquin, the waterfall and the Uragh stone circle.
      Further afield there is Skibbereen with the Sky Gardens at Liss Ard Estate (http://lissardestate.com/liss-ard-gardens.html) which can turn into a lovely walk as well and Skibbereen is my idea of a lively market town.

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    3. Have driven the Beara pass before, and may well do it again if weather is kind enough (I think all views were lost in cloud last time). Will bear all this in mind - and hope for clear days. Many thanks.

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  8. I have been cycling around the uk in recent weeks and find it absolutely fascinating ... But in a different way to going to far flung spots. If you cycle I find you see life going on and interact with people - so hard to do with motorised transport. And there is the advantage that you can have proper conversations with nearly everyone you meet - and what a lot if interesting things they do. !

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