On our wanders past The Galleries of Justice where Carol once worked and where Stephen works we noticed that quite a few of the advertising posters featured our very own Stephen in varying roles.
On Tuesday, as Stephen was free, he accompanied us to Clumber Park where we had a lovely walk in the grounds and at the lake. Clumber was once the country estate of the Dukes of Newcastle. The house was demolished in 1938 but the position of the house and its rooms is marked out on the grass by the lake and it is possible, in one of the rewmaining building (stables, I think) to do a virtual tour of the house as it was.. It is a very popular place for walking, running and cycling.
The Gothic -style Chapel in the grounds - still in use - is often described as a Cathedral in miniature.
The grounds are teeming with grey squirrels.
On Wednesday we went to Newark where Carol works in The Civil War Centre and Newark Museum. It is a bit heavy, for me, on English history but the Exhibition on Medecine and on surgeries during the wars was interesting if a bit gory.
Plague Doctor!
Finally, on Wednesday evening we had our first experience of Korean barbecue where we oredered much more than was necessary!
On Thursday we left for Birkenhead where I had booked a hotel, The Liver View, for the night before our ferry in the morning. We arrived around 1pm and there was no one to let us in so we set off in search of some mid day sustenance. Neither the front of the hotel nor the village of Wallesey inspired any confidence and we were reduced to buying a supermarket sandwich. On our return to the hotel 30 minutes later there was still no one at the hotel so we set off in the opposite direction towards the Seacombe Ferry Terminal where we got coffee in the cafe. Then we took a walk on the promenade towards New Brighton. When we got back, well after 3pm, the young man in charge let us in and carried our luggage to our very comfortable room with a great view of the Liver Buildings with the two Liver Birds standing proud on top. Our friendly young man also informed us that a nice meal could be had in a pub, The Ferry, 20 minutes walk along the promenade. That suited us fine. The pub is run by a real Dubliner with lots of banter. The meal was fine and the walk was great. This area appears to be the keep fit area of The Wirral with lots of groups walking, running and doing various physical excercises which entertained us during our meal and during our walks there and back.
Next day we presented ourselves at the ferry check-in to be told that our registration was not recognised. It turns out that I had booked for Saturday, not Friday. For another £25 we were allowed on the ferry! I have been informed That I have become too casual about our travel bookings and that I need to up my game!
