On July 17, 2022, Clair and I fly from Paris to Granada to meet up with Clair's granddaughter, Valentina, dad John, mom Monica, and Monica's parents Jo and Pat. They had arrived in Barcelona on July 11, and already had a week of sightseeing and touring the countryside under their belts. After making their way to Madrid and Toledo, they pick up a nice, comfortable, air conditioned van, and continue south, where our story begins.
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Spending a month in England in 2022, it seemed a good idea to alternate city and countryside. This was a good time to finally see the Cumbria Lake District that I had long heard about. I selected a youth hostel on the basis of favorable reviews and that it was located right near a lake and a bus stop.
We now sing the praises of the Lake District and the good fortune that blessed us with day after day of beautiful June weather.
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Once opened, click at upper right on "Slideshow."
Why Birmingham? Nowhere on any list of must-see destinations, but it happens to be about midway between Penzance and the Lake District, good for stopping over for a few days and breaking up an otherwise long train ride into two 4-5 hour segments. Did we find anything to see and do? And where in the world is Barrow-in-Furness?
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The golden olden days of our taking off for five-six months at a time have had to be reconciled with the new era of risky times: pandemics, tightened border entries, and skyrocketing prices. The memory of having to dismantle and walk away from wonderfully made plans for Norway, Croatia and France in 2020 is still fresh and painful.
Still, we managed a safe and happy 3 months in Paris in 2021, so we give it a go in 2022. Because, you never know.
The big idea this year is to spend a month in England, then 3 months in France, with at least one side trip, to Spain. Click here as we begin in London and Penzance.
Once opened, click at upper right on "Slideshow."
