Ira's Visit to the UK and France
Oct 31st, 2013, 06:36 AM
#87
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Hi S100,
> Had you driven in UK before?
No.
>Were any of the roads you took narrow and scary?
I didn't think so. My Lady Wife, OTOH, was white-knuckled most of the time
Many of the roads are rather narrow, although England seems to be about a foot wider than Scotland, so that one tends to drive down the middle of the road, which my LW feels will cause us to crash into an oncoming lorry, and pull left when a car approaches.
This latter maneuver often, not always, causes the left tires to slip over the edge of the pavement causing said LW to leap into the air.
I don't think that having a Vauxhall helped.
Another example:
I programmed the GPS to take us along a portion of our Scottish trip by way of a byroad, preferring to stay off the main highway, the Axx.
Little did I know that in Scotland an A road can be a one laner.
The byroad was very picturesque: high stone walls placed just wide enough that it was a good idea to bring in the side mirrors.
In addition, there were sheep walking along and beside the road.
I don't think that I went faster than 20 mph along here, but LW was certain that we would be smashed under the wheels of a giant lorry that would appear just over the next hill.
In sum: Yes and No.
> Had you driven in UK before?
No.
>Were any of the roads you took narrow and scary?
I didn't think so. My Lady Wife, OTOH, was white-knuckled most of the time
Many of the roads are rather narrow, although England seems to be about a foot wider than Scotland, so that one tends to drive down the middle of the road, which my LW feels will cause us to crash into an oncoming lorry, and pull left when a car approaches.
This latter maneuver often, not always, causes the left tires to slip over the edge of the pavement causing said LW to leap into the air.
I don't think that having a Vauxhall helped.
Another example:
I programmed the GPS to take us along a portion of our Scottish trip by way of a byroad, preferring to stay off the main highway, the Axx.
Little did I know that in Scotland an A road can be a one laner.
The byroad was very picturesque: high stone walls placed just wide enough that it was a good idea to bring in the side mirrors.
In addition, there were sheep walking along and beside the road.
I don't think that I went faster than 20 mph along here, but LW was certain that we would be smashed under the wheels of a giant lorry that would appear just over the next hill.
In sum: Yes and No.
Nov 2nd, 2013, 07:26 AM
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We left Shrewsbury on the A49, passed through Weobley and stopped in Hereford to see the Cathedral, home of the famous(?) Mappa Mundi (http://www.herefordcathedral.org/visit-us/mappa-mundi-1 ).
Following that, we drove through Mordiford, checked out the Old Market House in Ross-on-Wye (http://www.wyenot.com/market.htm) and stopped at Ye Old Ferrie Inn in Symonds Yat West (http://www.yeoldferrieinn.com/content/visit.php ) for some refreshment. (I love these names.)
Our next stop was Gloucester Cathedral
(http://www.gloucestercathedral.org.u...t-architecture and http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire...ore_info.shtml ), well worth the stop.
Faint from hunger and needing the quintessential English pick-me-up, we stopped at Barnsley House for Aftermoon (not high)Tea (http://www.barnsleyhouse.com/ ) following which we toured their very lovely gardens.
Refreshed and in a mellow mood (possibly due to the consumption of alcohol and sugar?) we arrived at Cotteswold House in Bibury (Bye Burry) (http://www.barnsleyhouse.com/ ).
Mrs Underwood was helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful,… A very, very nice hostess. We had the large room with the sofa. It was a very pleasant place to stay.
Following that, we drove through Mordiford, checked out the Old Market House in Ross-on-Wye (http://www.wyenot.com/market.htm) and stopped at Ye Old Ferrie Inn in Symonds Yat West (http://www.yeoldferrieinn.com/content/visit.php ) for some refreshment. (I love these names.)
Our next stop was Gloucester Cathedral
(http://www.gloucestercathedral.org.u...t-architecture and http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire...ore_info.shtml ), well worth the stop.
Faint from hunger and needing the quintessential English pick-me-up, we stopped at Barnsley House for Aftermoon (not high)Tea (http://www.barnsleyhouse.com/ ) following which we toured their very lovely gardens.
Refreshed and in a mellow mood (possibly due to the consumption of alcohol and sugar?) we arrived at Cotteswold House in Bibury (Bye Burry) (http://www.barnsleyhouse.com/ ).
Mrs Underwood was helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful,… A very, very nice hostess. We had the large room with the sofa. It was a very pleasant place to stay.
Nov 3rd, 2013, 10:14 PM
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Hi Ira. I looked up Cotswold House, as you posted barnsley house twice. Both look nice, but wish I could stay at Barnsley House . I'm currently researching places to stay in the Cotswolds so looking forward to more of your report.
. I'm currently researching places to stay in the Cotswolds so looking forward to more of your report.
Nov 4th, 2013, 02:37 PM
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Loving your report, Ira! I was in Scotland years ago, but it was during a tour of Great Britain. I would much rather do it your way, but wouldn't attempt to drive in Britain. I love the driving trips in France, though. Your Lady is lucky to have YOU to do the driving! I'm looking forward to the rest.
Nov 4th, 2013, 09:07 PM
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Sue4: I've been wavering between driving in England or taking public trans. Hmmm... left-side-of-the road driving and roundabouts Not sure I can manage. I may try it, and if I'm too stressed out, return the car and take the bus!
Nov 6th, 2013, 10:06 AM
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Hi sue and susan,
I found that the hard part was getting the d--n car into 1st gear, not driving on the left.
Make yourself a sign and fix it to the dashboard - KEEP LEFT!!
You'll soon find tat you can line yourself up with a spot on the windshield or the hood that will keep you just on the edge of the road.
Also - for the first 50 mi, or so, drive slow.
I found that the hard part was getting the d--n car into 1st gear, not driving on the left.
Make yourself a sign and fix it to the dashboard - KEEP LEFT!!
You'll soon find tat you can line yourself up with a spot on the windshield or the hood that will keep you just on the edge of the road.
Also - for the first 50 mi, or so, drive slow.
Nov 6th, 2013, 10:42 AM
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susan001
From my trip report:
Driving experience: 8 days of driving on the left side of the road will not turn me into the comfortable driver that I am driving on the right side of the road. I can shift with my left hand, but my reaction time is not always as it should be when downshifting. I always have to be aware that I am driving on the left side, it is not natural for me. It takes getting used to the roundabouts. The direction of the roundabout is not a problem, as the entry roads are oriented for going clockwise and it would take a real effort to do the contrary. However, in larger roundabouts, the leftmost lane often goes off at a tangent rather than going into the roundabout itself, and I am usually in the left lane since I make no claim of being a fast driver in the U.K. When traffic is heavy, switching lanes when the signage appears is not always easy. Eventually I made it a practice of going into the middle lane as soon as the three lanes were created unless I was absolutely positive that I wanted to take the tangential road.
From my trip report:
Driving experience: 8 days of driving on the left side of the road will not turn me into the comfortable driver that I am driving on the right side of the road. I can shift with my left hand, but my reaction time is not always as it should be when downshifting. I always have to be aware that I am driving on the left side, it is not natural for me. It takes getting used to the roundabouts. The direction of the roundabout is not a problem, as the entry roads are oriented for going clockwise and it would take a real effort to do the contrary. However, in larger roundabouts, the leftmost lane often goes off at a tangent rather than going into the roundabout itself, and I am usually in the left lane since I make no claim of being a fast driver in the U.K. When traffic is heavy, switching lanes when the signage appears is not always easy. Eventually I made it a practice of going into the middle lane as soon as the three lanes were created unless I was absolutely positive that I wanted to take the tangential road.
