What a feast of history, scenery, pretty villages, stately homes and palaces plus, just for good measure…some very special musical treats. We certainly shared many wonderful experiences !”
REVIEW OF GEMS OF ENGLAND & WALES – AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
Even though we’ve been home for a while now, (catching up!) little images of this and that keep popping into our heads…or dreams!
Wonderful characters like the fascinating and entertaining Caroline at Chavenage, (in fact, the whole family..even her father with his repertoire of stories!)…and seeing the next Poldark being filmed, poor Lee ( our coach driver ) squeezing our huge coach down those tiny Devon roadways and through impossibly narrow stone gate posts, all of us walking to dinner…along a riverside pathway, through the church yard to a 13th Century Pub, (and back again in the semi-dark!), hearing our dedicated male choir in the tiny Norwegian Church in Cardiff….(not to mention their yodelling conductor!)..and then, for those who came along, seeing how they enjoy a sing-song in the pub afterwards, taking a funicular to dinner in Aberystwyth and hearing renowned Welsh folk singer Linda Griffiths and two of her daughters…so proudly keeping their Welsh language and song heritage alive….Then there was the spectacular ruin of Tintern Abbey on a perfect sunny morning…and Conwy Castle with its wonderful story of takeover whilst everyone was off at church…..magnificent Blenheim Palace and the fascinating Churchill…and then …Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace…how wonderful to wander these hallowed Royal places, so often seen on TV over the years… Really..there was just so, so much and we’ll no doubt all be living on the memories for some time to come.
THE GROUP AT AVEBURY
We said it at the time, but we were certainly treated to the ‘dream team’ to accompany us…with the very knowledgeable, very organised, always eager, helpful, polite and immaculately dressed..(correct badge and lanyard at all times!) Guide and Tour Director, Phil and the very dedicated, willing and masterful driver, Lee. (We’re already talking to Phil with regard to our our Scotland the Brave tour in a couple of years…not technically his main area but it is..to quote ‘doable!’ and he’s done it before. We can always use local guides where he doesn’t feel his expertise is sufficient! Fingers crossed we secure both Phil and Lee for Scotland 2021. That would be fabulous! By the way, Phil declared our tour the highlight of the season for him!)
JENNIFER, STEWART, PHIL AND LEE