Day 18: Farewell Harry ~ London Calling

August 08, 2019

Sadly this morning, Enid’s cold had deteriorated to the point where she needed to see a doctor and get some medication so Enid and Martina went first to the minor injuries clinic to be mucked around and then told that they don’t do colds. So it was arrive at the doctor and hope for an appointment which was forthcoming at 10am. Very fortunate given how challenging healthcare is in Britain. Apartment packed up, and by departure time the good news was that some cars had moved from the hard standing downstairs, making it possible for Harry to pop into the driveway and play suitcase Tetris one last time.

A little later on the road, our fist stop was a little hamlet called Minions on the edge of the Bodmin Moor. Apart from finding Minion stickers on the road signs and a very cute tea room (yes we had to have one last Cornish Cream tea) and post office, we also found The Hurlers stone circle. Quite incredible set against the backdrop of cows and Cornwall mining relics. The Hurlers is said to date back to the Neolithic period and contain evidence of having been beaten smooth. First documented in the 16th century, they were the subject of great interest in the early 20th century when archaeologist Raleigh Redford conducted some excavations, resetting some of the stones that had fallen and marking the place where others should have been. The legend has it that the stones are called the Hurlers because at group of Cornish men were turned to stone because they were playing Hurling on a Sunday when they should have been resting. Who knows, but it was a very interesting site and there is something powerful and mystical in the space.

3 travel tragics traversing the standing stones field

on the way out of minions

Onward in the quest it was time to find a civilised drive across Dartmoor National Park, another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Geologically it is an area of uplift and its high peaks are covered in gorse and other moor like vegetation. We knew the weather was closing in and as we entered the moors the low cloud provided an appropriate atmosphere of gloom and foreboding, but at least we could see the sheep on the roadside (and on the road) as well as the Dartmoor ponies that Enid was so desperate to see. As we climbed further and then drove down into the Dart river valley and back up, the visibility was at whiteout stage which made for challenging driving conditions and poor visibility. It was a great experience crossing Dartmoor and then we were there, at Newton Abbott railway station where it was time to say goodbye to Harry(son) Ford (from a) Galaxy (far far away).

Our trusty Galaxy started with us in Glasgow almost 2 weeks ago and has travelled over 1400 miles! We have traveled main roads, small roads, and lanes - which is a euphemism for no car should ever go there! It has been a blast. Chris drove up the road and walked back to the station while we ladies wrangled the bags. It was not long before we hopped onto the GWR express train to London Paddington. Very swish and with trolley service in the First class cars three times on the 2.5 hour trip, that was very much appreciated as we had not made a lunch stop.

The 18th-century Westbury White Horse near Westbury, Wiltshire, seen from the train.

Paddington station was bustling with commuters in the peak hours when we arrived just after 6, but we followed the lines to the taxi rank, which has changed more than a bit in 9 years. A lovely cab driver managed to fit all of us and our bags in his maxi taxi and we then had to battle the London roads to get out to the “East End”. As we got closer it appeared as though the suburbs were getting rougher and I think the girls were wondering what had possessed Chris to select an apartment in this area. The area was dingy and dishevelled .. but then arriving at Limehouse Basin approach, we entered a new world of high rise and redevelopment. Our apartment is literally on the Regent’s Canal which runs straight into the Thames. There is evidence that the old wharf line is behind the complex and that the whole block is build on reclaimed land. Our penthouse apartment is very very swish. It is over three levels with views of part of the London Skyline and the DLR runs right behind the complex. This is a cool place to stay. Dining options seemed a bit limited though, and we found a pricey Italian restaurant that will do for our first night with nice food. Hello London!