time to push further into the english countryside
jump into the pug, set up the gps and follow instructions
selected destination - peterborough - route - scenic
so we're up for a 2 hour drive on this monday morning
first impressions are that we're going against the flow
many vehicles heading south and probably london town
second impressions are that roundabouts are king
a mind-boggling array of roads that weave and intersect
clear and useful road and sign markings to guide
almost redundant these days with the smartphone gps
but always reassuring to have backup to she-who-must-be-obeyed
it's a very pleasant drive and an opportunity to pm the weekend
we strike forth into the heart of peterborough and a parking building
trip advisor app checked for the must-see-or-do destinations
the cathedral ranked number 1 by a long shot so off we go
outside - yes - abc it may be (another bloody cathedral)
but step inside and it's immediately striking
huge - height and distance - and steeped in history
it may be a working church but tourism is where it is at
plenty of signage and documentation at hand to assess it's relevance
in one sense a crypt with many royals and nobles at rest here
stories of construction, fires and loss, re-builds
some interactive displays of building techniques
but mostly again it's an arched head peering up
staring in wonder at the precision of it all
a good hour or so spent and then out we go
time for a coffee and cake and rest
unload the bags and camera (take note)
then we boy and girls go separate ways
they shopping - me wandering/looking
conclusion - we are definitely in middle england
cosmopolitan london and elitist cambridge this is not
but ok with that - good to be part of the middle ground
there are definite signs of a country struggling economically
trip adviser also recommends a visit to fen ground
an important archaelogical site outside of town
we drive, we pay, we walk, we imagine, we leave
a bit underwhelming compared to e.g. sites in china
heading back now so an hour's drive to ely for dinner
park the car - grab the camera (not) - uh-oh where is it?
yep - left in the cake shop back in peterborough
a phone call to confirm and a return journey
then fast-track to cambridge on the motorway
the best fush and chups in town are in order
as recommended by the past resident in our midst
then it is time to send her on her way back to sydney
via london - so a drive to the train station
and for us a relatively early night
travelling fun - but - tiring too
