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Post by whollygoats on Aug 7, 2016 17:46:17 GMT
Yeah, Carmarthen is meant to have been the birthplace of Merlin. But round here is a mecca for pagan types - bit like Glastonbury. Among my friends I count a Druid, a 'Faerie' and several Wiccans. There was an influx of hippies in the 70s, looking for an alternative lifestyle, and Welsh farmers were only too happy to sell them their damp old stone barns and cottages (and move into nice new bungalows). It sounds like Eugene. Only it was 'pioneer' stick farmhouses. Rat-infested 'pioneer' stick farmhouses. The joke around here was to ask if people knew why all the hippies moved to Eugene (university town up the valley from the big city where I live). The reason, of course, was that Eugene was a dying sawmill town (with a state university), and employment was depressed for decades. "No jobs." Of course, now the stick farmhouses have all rotted away and been replaced by mud huts and tiny houses, usually with hot tubs and/or saunas, on vast spreads of vineyards, hops, and soon, cannabis. (Aside here...I managed to get the applications for the Order of Bard, Ovates and Druids...which was de rigueur for Druid wannabes when I was investigating that avenue. Is your friend the Druid trained and tested by the Order?)
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Post by juju on Aug 7, 2016 18:24:21 GMT
I've absolutely no idea! I know he goes to Stonehenge for Solstice most years, and also to something called 'Druid Camp'. Other than that, I don't really know his Druid credentials. He also has PhD in Archaeology - he graduated with my husband. His thesis was on the contentions between archaeologists and contemporary Pagans with regard to ancient burial sites, as he has his foot in both camps, as it were.
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Post by whollygoats on Aug 7, 2016 18:34:52 GMT
I've absolutely no idea! I know he goes to Stonehenge for Solstice most years, and also to something called 'Druid Camp'. Other than that, I don't really know his Druid credentials. He also has PhD in Archaeology - he graduated with my husband. His thesis was on the contentions between archaeologists and contemporary Pagans with regard to ancient burial sites, as he has his foot in both camps, as it were. Heh...Yeah, I ran with that crowd for a decade or so. As noted, I requested the credentials forms. But it was ever so easy just to pass myself off, at first, as an 'unreconstructed pagan of indeterminate confession'...to being the High Priest of Persephone, with the emphasis on 'High'. But, yeah...it's what over-educated dweebs do.
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Post by whollygoats on Aug 10, 2016 1:46:39 GMT
Okay, now I want to barge from Edinburgh to Glasgow. In particular, I want to ride the Falkirk Wheel....
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Post by Sarah W. on Aug 11, 2016 17:03:32 GMT
Wow. That's one way to do things, I guess. Personally, I think a flight of locks is much more picturesque. But that's got to be more efficient, provided it doesn't break down...
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Post by Mari on Aug 11, 2016 17:07:39 GMT
And this draws a lot of visitors each year.
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Post by whollygoats on Aug 11, 2016 17:33:34 GMT
I understand that it is the joining of two separate canal systems and the point of contact had a 71 foot elevation difference....the wheel is the 'leveler'.
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Post by whollygoats on Aug 30, 2016 19:01:31 GMT
Whoa...the Mach Loop is in Wales. Now that would be cool; to watch high velocity military aircraft scream past, below one's position on the ground. Somehow, despite the fact that they state that the RAF posts schedules of exercises, I doubt that some errant Yank looking for some cheap thrills in central Wales would be able to actually catch something like that live. I suppose I could stop somewhere along the line just to say I've been to the Mach Loop....but...being able to say I saw a Eurofighter Typhoon scream past, in flight, within spittin' distance....well, that's just....not likely. Must try. I found the postings of exercises.
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 5, 2016 14:21:51 GMT
Well...Through Brecon and taking in the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal via a canal-ride has been scrubbed. It looks to be too 'out-of-the-way' with what I suspect would be too small of a 'payoff' in end-result. I had to email the operators to confirm that the canal ride from Brecon is a five mile ride costing 8 pounds and returns the rider to where they started. Believe it or not, they did not provide that very basic information on their website. They seem intent in discouraging visitors. (What's with that?) But, getting there looks to be a major headache unless one hires a car...which I am resisting. I certainly would not expend the funds necessary to hire a car just to take a five mile, with return, boat ride. Fie! On to Pembrokeshire!
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Post by tangent on Oct 5, 2016 18:25:43 GMT
Short canal boat trips are quite rare from what I can see. Three of my friends/acquaintances live on narrow boats but I don't know anyone who hires them out.
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Post by ceptimus on Oct 5, 2016 21:40:32 GMT
It takes a long time to get anywhere on the canals, so most people hire a boat for a week or more. There are special boats in the tourist areas (such as near the Falkirk wheel) where you can pay to ride on a boat (with lots of other tourists and you won't get to steer) for just an hour or two.
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 6, 2016 1:24:23 GMT
I'd just book through on a canal boat, from Edinburgh to Glasgow. It has to go through the Falkirk Wheel, no? That is, after all, the point of the wheel, to connect two canal systems. Otherwise, why bother with that outlay for unique operating capital?
I got my taste for canal boats on the Canal du Midi (and the Garonne), from Agen to Bordeaux.
ETA: Ah....118 miles of canal. Average speed, 4 mph. Several days of floating. There is, however, a Falkirk Wheel Boat Ride. I find it interesting that I'm not finding any 'day tour' boat offers for small groups. Eh...
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Post by ceptimus on Oct 6, 2016 3:35:52 GMT
4 mph is really the top speed. With stops for lunch and especially if there are many locks to negotiate your average speed will be lower. Twenty miles per day is pretty good going.
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 19, 2016 23:25:04 GMT
What! We did twice that on the Canal du Midi! And there were points where we were scraping bottom (siltation, y'know). It sounds like tourist bus via the Falkirk Wheel might be a better bet...On the way back, along with Whiskey Road, Cosford and Duxford.
Okay...So, I put in another, revised, request to book for May 27 out of Aberdeen....
That means that Moose and Col and the menagerie can expect to see my mug sometime around mid-May. I will probably be traveling in the most direct manner for a man basically on foot (rail/bus). I'm assuming I'll have to come ashore from Man at Heysham, then to Carlisle and Carlisle to Whitehaven. To leave Whitehaven bound for Aberdeen to connect with my ferry to the Orkneys and Shetlands. So...How long can you put up with me in the area? Others who have visited the Moose...what to see and do in the immediate vicinity. I know Keswick and have been to Castlerigg. The Lake District is always nice.
So....How much time on Man? Four days? A week?
North Wales? Three days?
Central coastal Wales? Two days?
Pembrokeshire and environs? Six days?
London to Pembrokeshire? Three days including Bristol and de-lag time?
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Post by Kye on Oct 19, 2016 23:32:43 GMT
There's a very nice B&B near Moose (walking distance) with a super breakfast included. My big highlight in the area was visiting Moose and Co. but we did do some car touring around various quaint villages and seashores. We went to a prehistoric site, and we also panned for gold at one point...
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 20, 2016 1:06:33 GMT
Okay...These patches seem to be difficult going:
1. Northward along the Welsh Coast from Pembrokeshire to Caernafon. Can it be done by bus?
2. Inverness to Stirling (I'm looking for Whisky Road attractions). I assume I'll have to book a special tour bus for this....
3. Getting from Cosford, between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, to Cambridge. It looks like a traipse through London is required...*sigh*
4. Connecting from Chester with the ferry to Man from Liverpool looks a mite daunting.
And...Here is the big question....How do I best make my connections and place my reservations once in the UK? Do I purchase a disposable phone? Do they have such things? I do not own a cellphone, nor do I see me obtaining one before departing for points UK, besides I understand that using a US cellphone overseas is hideous expensive and PITA. Any suggestions? I suspect that JoeP and regular travelers might be most helpful on this latter issue.
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 20, 2016 1:11:53 GMT
There's a very nice B&B near Moose (walking distance) with a super breakfast included. My big highlight in the area was visiting Moose and Co. but we did do some car touring around various quaint villages and seashores. We went to a prehistoric site, and we also panned for gold at one point... That sounds excellent. Are you willing to provide details? Am I correct in assuming that Colin is licensed to drive a standard four-tyred automobile? I'm reluctant to drive myself, but I'd be most interested in seeing whether my hiring a car for Colin to drive would be a possibility. I have no desire to ride passenger on a motorbike.
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Post by Kye on Oct 20, 2016 12:10:41 GMT
Moose would be the best person the ask for details. I just drove the car in the direction they pointed!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 13:23:01 GMT
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Post by Moose on Oct 20, 2016 19:31:52 GMT
Are you Scottish Nazz? I am in Cumbria, just over the border
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Post by Moose on Oct 20, 2016 19:32:56 GMT
Kelly - Col can't drive a car, no. I am sure he'd be more than happy to give you a lift on his bike if you dared though but he's never passed a driving test (for cars I mean; obviously he passed his bike test)
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 20, 2016 22:13:06 GMT
Thanks, nazz. I'll look them over. I've been 'on' the Whisky Road and toured the Justerini & Brooks distillery in Keith (the Chivas distillery was closed to visitors). I've been to Inverness twice and would love to return for a third visit, and fully expect to do so. It is one of my favorite small cities. But....I also must return south to wing home so I was looking for means of doing that with interesting diversions. I already have decided I want to ride the Falkirk Wheel, but I'm basically headed to Cosford (for the RAF museum) and then on to Duxford (for Imperial War Museum and, hopefully, a Dragon ride).
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 20, 2016 22:17:57 GMT
Kelly - Col can't drive a car, no. I am sure he'd be more than happy to give you a lift on his bike if you dared though but he's never passed a driving test (for cars I mean; obviously he passed his bike test) Thanks. Here, most motorbike riders have their regular driver's license before they get certified for bikes.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 23:59:59 GMT
Are you Scottish Nazz? I am in Cumbria, just over the border I am but I'm not over the border
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Post by Moose on Oct 21, 2016 1:17:47 GMT
Is it polite to ask where you are? (I am rather socially awkward and I genuinely don't know when things are polite or are not .
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 21, 2016 17:17:36 GMT
Okay...This is starting to jell. I can see I need to go back through this thread and confirm some likely prospects you kind folk have provided.
But. I looked at roundtrip (return) airfare from PDX to LHR (via YVR) and Air Canada has a tasty deal which I'm about to book.
Doing so would pretty much lock me in, so I'm looking at flying out of PDX, bound for YVR and LHR, on April 20. I picked an arbitrary date two months later, June 21, the Solstice, as my return date.
It's looking like I'll bolt for Bristol and kicking across southern Wales (which looks heavily urbanized), bound for Pembrokeshire. Carmarthen looks to be the best place to set down for a foray base. I'd appreciate any guidance from Juju on Carmarthenian hospitality. I'll check my sources for HI hostels, but expect that I'll need to find a B&B (modest, clean and inexpensive - I need to safe place to stow my lugs, sleep, toilet, and get one decent meal a day, while I day trip for a few).
Then, it's northbound to central coastal Wales, probably by bus. Rail in/from Aberystwydth (sp??)? In to Snowdonia.
North to Caernafon for castle and other Welshing sites. More steam trains. I suspect an HI hostel somewhere in northwest Wales. Any other inexpensive, clean, modest accommodation recommendations welcome. I suspect it will be more difficult, as it seems to be very tourocentric, and demand will be high and prices higher. Portmerion is along the way...any reactions from the near locals on that one?
Fly from north Wales/Chester to Man? Or try to find my way to the ferry. Flying small regional airliner looks expensive, but possible 'bucket list' opportunities (a Let-410 flight would be fantabulous).
A few days on Man before fleeing the scene before the motomadness hits....Ferry to Heysham and rail to Whitehaven. Need accommodation recommendation for Whitehaven.
I'll probably shoot from Whitehaven to Aberdeen, overnight there before the ferry to the Orkneys.
Back to Aberdeen from the Orkneys and on to Inverness. A few days there, probably including a distillery tour or two, followed by as entertaining and comfortable bus tour back to Stirling/Falkirk. Catch the Falkirk Wheel.
On to Cosford. I should probably book a B&B in Wellington for a few days.
Then on to Cambridge (via London) for Duxford....Ride the Dragon at Duxford!
Any time left, train from my digs in Cambridgeshire to London for British Museum and Tate visits.
Two late spring months in the UK. Yes, I will have raingear.
I welcome any recommendations for any roadside attractions, modest clean and comfortable accommodations, not-to-missed scenic rambles, megaliths, mechanical curiosities, air museums along that tentative pilgrimage.
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Post by tangent on Oct 21, 2016 17:48:25 GMT
Stone Henge?
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 21, 2016 18:07:13 GMT
So, looking around at 'hostels' in Wales, I found that there were more than I expected, but, not often in places in which I was particularly interested. The Ty'n y Berth Mountain Centre looks like an intriguingly close abode to the Mach Loop, and Canolfan Corris is just a short walk from that. As for Pembrokeshire...The Level Crossing, a hostel in Llandovery, which states that it is across the road from the Llandovery rail station, served by Arriva rail. (Distance from transit modal stations is important because of dragging wheeled luggage.) It looks like the kind of accommodations I tend to seek out. Do you know it, Juju? Are there similar in Carmarthen? I ask because Carmarthen looks to be a better hub for public transit to the south peninsula....I may well be mistaken.
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 21, 2016 18:19:06 GMT
I've been. Twice. In a sense, I enjoyed Avebury a bit more, because it was more 'interactive' and the walk along the Avenue towards Silbury Hill was intriguing. I must return to Castlerigg, outside of Keswick, when I visit Moose. It's those kind of smaller circles and dolmen and standing stones I'm looking for. I've seen the two biggies and I'm headed to the Stennis Standing Stones and the Ring of Brodgar in the Orkneys. I've never actually been to a dolmen, but I know that Juju has one out Pembroke way that she has taken guests to visit. I've seen pix. These things are hidden throughout the country....they make fun destinations for me. Historical interest is another one...like Hadrian's Wall. Another stirling example of how well walls keep out annoying neighbors. *rolls eyes*
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Post by whollygoats on Oct 21, 2016 18:39:43 GMT
Hmmm...It looks like if I happen to be diddling around in NW Wales and decide I want to move on to the Isle of Man, I have to go through Liverpool to get transport to Man. There is no going to Anglesey, which sux. But, I'm betting that a clueless tourist will find it easier, while using public transport, to get to the Liverpool Airport than it will to find the ferry docks. Please, correct me if I'm wrong.
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