Day 25

Hand the boat back in today at 9am so a really short run to the end of the boating experience.  Took a route that picked up the town of Much Wenlock in Shropshire were Caroline stayed for a while with her Mum’s sister – Aunty Irene.

Completely unannounced Caroline knocked on Aunty Irene’s door and nearly gave the poor old dear a heart attack.  After she composed herself we sat with her for a while and had a really good chat.  Met her grandsons Barry and Steven and also met her daughter (Barry and Steven’s Mum) Elizabeth.  What an excellent way to spend a couple of hours, chatting with relatives that had not been seen in years and years (or not at all).

Much Wenlock is a beautiful little village, really olde worlde style.

Off to Ludlow where the first of the Rickard clan (Thomas Rickard) who arrived in Australia was born (1827).  Time was running short so we couldn’t look up any Rickard’s that might still live there.  Off to Cheltenham in the Cotswolds district. 

Whilst in Italy we could make sense of the driving but here in England people seem to be able to park in the most inappropriate spots or pull out into your lane right in front of you.  Oh, they are very polite when they do it but they do it anyway causing you to jump on the brakes and take evasive action off the side of the road.  Hmmmph, bloody Poms!