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  1. #1
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    A pilgrimage across southern England

    I'm planning a trip with my daughter back to Old Blighty this summer.

    I wasn't going to start a thread about it for some time but I've had so much advice of where to go and how to do things I thought I need to create a place to put everything before finalising my plans. Thanks to everyone who has offered advice so far, in particular Bonecollector. Much appreciated.

    So far the rough plan is to arrive in the UK early July and stay until mid August. We will be based at my mum's place in North Somerset throughout with the intention of spending 2 or 3 days with my mum, then away for 2 or 3 days, and so on. My wife will be staying in Korat, claiming she doesn't like flying... which none of us do of course. I haven't pushed the point because in many ways it will be easier with just me and the littl'un... we're very close and we both enjoy doing things. And besides, I get very little time alone with my daughter and at 10 (going on 15) I have to be realistic in that there won't be a whole lot of years left when she wants to spend time with her old man. Also, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't really want to spend 6 weeks with my outlaws in Thailand so it's fair enough I guess.

    So, just me and the daughter it will be. I'm hoping to relive childhood memories and holidays, catch up with long neglected friendships and generally create a whole lot of memories for my daughter and mother. It may sound a bit knobby to call it an 'Oddysey' but I think this is one? If not, it sounds like a pretty good thread title anyway.

    I'm under no illusion that this will be hard work at times. It will be great to spend time with my mum and especially to see Granddaughter and Grandmother spend time together, but I'm not really close to the rest of my family in the UK and occasionally it will be hard going. Also, my 10 year-old daughter will miss her mum at times... as will I on hair washing days and when I fancy a few pints with my mates at the local. But anyway, I've long promised this trip to my daughter and now that Covid is finally releasing it's grip, the time has come. On cider nights my mum can babysit... win win.

    We should arrive early July and I believe the English schools break up around the end of the third week of July? The first excursion I have planned is therefore Lyme Regis before the schools break up and roads are still navigable. While growing up, we had our family summer holidays in a caravan in Lyme Regis every year, of which I have very fond memories. I well remember catching crabs and collecting fossils along the Jurassic Coast and hope to repeat those activities with the daughter. Already this trip to west Dorset is being added to with Devon and Cornwall now on the itinerary, courtesy of PAG...

    Quote Originally Posted by PAG View Post
    The Donkey Sanctuary, on the east side of Sidmouth might be worth a visit, being not far from Lyme Regis. I used to live between Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth.

    Sidmouth | Visit Our Sanctuary | The Donkey Sanctuary

    And OhOh...

    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    This is an evening delight.

    Attachment 86104

    The Minack Theatre (Cornish: Gwaryjy Minack) is an open-air theatre, constructed above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea. The theatre is at Porthcurno, 4 miles (6.4 km) from Land's End in Cornwall, England.

    https://www.minack.com/whats-on
    I should have a decent ride throughout the six weeks... a friend of my mum's has a RAV4 going spare which is a good drive, especially when it's for free.

    My other plans include a trip to London for 3 or 4 days, visiting the HMS Victory in Portsmouth, paying a visit to an old friend who lives in Gorleston-On-Sea (Great Yarmouth), and more locally to my mum, I have a friend in Cheltenham to visit and I was also thinking of a night in Shepton Mallet jail.

    The London trip will start with a full English at the Regency Cafe, and hopefully include a tourist ride on an open top bus, trips to the Natural History Museum at Kensington and also (thanks BC and Shutree) the Science Museum. Someone (was it Malmo Mike?) mentioned taking in a show in the West End? That may be an idea and my violinist sister who used to work in Covent Garden may be able to help there. I need to look through all the advice and collate everything.

    Other ideas have included canal boating in Oxfordshire and climbing Mount Snowdon, although seeing as that's in Wales it doesn't really fit with the thread.

    But for now I need to put another work trip to Norway behind me, books some flights and start planning an itinerary. I need to get a list of activities to whittle down and make a list of accommodation to book. I've never even stayed in an AirBNB so this will be a learning curve and the thought of using public transport in London leaves me cold. But with a kid I guess you have to just get on with it.

    I've already started making a pile of things to pack lest we forget anything at the last minute. This I will add to over the coming weeks.


  2. #2
    I am not a cat
    nidhogg's Avatar
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    If you go to Portsmouth for the Victory, you should plan a few hours in Clarence pier in Southsea. Maybe add in a hovercraft ride to the Isle of Wight?

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    I sense a cracker of a thread developing here.

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    A pilgrimage across southern England-macgyver-mendip-png
    A paperclip can come in handy.

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails A pilgrimage across southern England-macgyver-mendip-png  

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    Would be nice to see what's Gorleston is like so I don't have to visit it ever again.

  6. #6
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    Looking forward to going on this ride with ya Mendy! It sure to be a banger!

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    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    :wince:

    cringeworthy much?

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    cringeworthy much?
    Hi grumpy.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    So, just me and the daughter it will be. I'm hoping to relive childhood memories and holidays, catch up with long neglected friendships and generally create a whole lot of memories for my daughter and mother. It may sound a bit knobby to call it an 'Oddysey' but I think this is one? If not, it sounds like a pretty good thread title anyway.
    An excellent title for a thread of that type.
    After all the trips deferred by covid many of us are finally dusting the cobwebs and finally plan that sojourn to that national source that has shaped so much of our personality, and see people we have missed for so long.
    And what better way to do it than with your daughter, exposing her, and allowing her to connect with that part of her rich culture,
    I am very excited for you and look forward to reading about it.
    The sooner you fall behind, the more time you have to catch up.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I'm planning a trip with my daughter back to Old Blighty this summer.

    I wasn't going to start a thread about it for some time but I've had so much advice of where to go and how to do things I thought I need to create a place to put everything before finalising my plans. Thanks to everyone who has offered advice so far, in particular Bonecollector. Much appreciated.

    So far the rough plan is to arrive in the UK early July and stay until mid August. We will be based at my mum's place in North Somerset throughout with the intention of spending 2 or 3 days with my mum, then away for 2 or 3 days, and so on. My wife will be staying in Korat, claiming she doesn't like flying... which none of us do of course. I haven't pushed the point because in many ways it will be easier with just me and the littl'un... we're very close and we both enjoy doing things. And besides, I get very little time alone with my daughter and at 10 (going on 15) I have to be realistic in that there won't be a whole lot of years left when she wants to spend time with her old man. Also, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't really want to spend 6 weeks with my outlaws in Thailand so it's fair enough I guess.

    So, just me and the daughter it will be. I'm hoping to relive childhood memories and holidays, catch up with long neglected friendships and generally create a whole lot of memories for my daughter and mother. It may sound a bit knobby to call it an 'Oddysey' but I think this is one? If not, it sounds like a pretty good thread title anyway.

    I'm under no illusion that this will be hard work at times. It will be great to spend time with my mum and especially to see Granddaughter and Grandmother spend time together, but I'm not really close to the rest of my family in the UK and occasionally it will be hard going. Also, my 10 year-old daughter will miss her mum at times... as will I on hair washing days and when I fancy a few pints with my mates at the local. But anyway, I've long promised this trip to my daughter and now that Covid is finally releasing it's grip, the time has come. On cider nights my mum can babysit... win win.

    We should arrive early July and I believe the English schools break up around the end of the third week of July? The first excursion I have planned is therefore Lyme Regis before the schools break up and roads are still navigable. While growing up, we had our family summer holidays in a caravan in Lyme Regis every year, of which I have very fond memories. I well remember catching crabs and collecting fossils along the Jurassic Coast and hope to repeat those activities with the daughter. Already this trip to west Dorset is being added to with Devon and Cornwall now on the itinerary, courtesy of PAG...




    And OhOh...



    I should have a decent ride throughout the six weeks... a friend of my mum's has a RAV4 going spare which is a good drive, especially when it's for free.

    My other plans include a trip to London for 3 or 4 days, visiting the HMS Victory in Portsmouth, paying a visit to an old friend who lives in Gorleston-On-Sea (Great Yarmouth), and more locally to my mum, I have a friend in Cheltenham to visit and I was also thinking of a night in Shepton Mallet jail.

    The London trip will start with a full English at the Regency Cafe, and hopefully include a tourist ride on an open top bus, trips to the Natural History Museum at Kensington and also (thanks BC and Shutree) the Science Museum. Someone (was it Malmo Mike?) mentioned taking in a show in the West End? That may be an idea and my violinist sister who used to work in Covent Garden may be able to help there. I need to look through all the advice and collate everything.

    Other ideas have included canal boating in Oxfordshire and climbing Mount Snowdon, although seeing as that's in Wales it doesn't really fit with the thread.

    But for now I need to put another work trip to Norway behind me, books some flights and start planning an itinerary. I need to get a list of activities to whittle down and make a list of accommodation to book. I've never even stayed in an AirBNB so this will be a learning curve and the thought of using public transport in London leaves me cold. But with a kid I guess you have to just get on with it.

    I've already started making a pile of things to pack lest we forget anything at the last minute. This I will add to over the coming weeks.

    What do you have to do to get a night in Shelton mallot jail? Asking for a friend

  11. #11
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    Somerset to Lyme Regis is a comfortable drive. I would recommend staying in decent pubs with accommodation. Already mentioned the Donkey Sanctuary outside Sidmouth, contuining west, the South Hams area of Devon is very pleasant, and Paignton Zoo used to be quite good. A sojourn over Dartmoor for the wild ponies is another possibility. Crossing into Cornwall, again staying on the south coast, possibly the Eden Project to visit also. Come back along the north coast, Bude etc, maybe have a look at Clovelly when you cross back into Devon, and stay on the north coast taking you back to Somerset.

  12. #12
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    Old Japanese saying

    For want of a paper clip -- Bomb blew up -- many fucking died

  13. #13
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    Looking forward to it, you guys will have a great time!

  14. #14
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    You're spoilt for choice of course, but Lulworth Cove in Dorset is spectacular.

  15. #15
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    For the English cultural aspect, an afternoon at Weymouth beach to take in a Punch and Judy show, buy a plastic bucket and spade to make sandcastles together, eat some ice-cream and candy-floss, eat some fish and chips and play hide your sandwiches with the seagulls. You could also teach her to make a traditional knotted-hanky hat.



  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg View Post
    If you go to Portsmouth for the Victory, you should plan a few hours in Clarence pier in Southsea. Maybe add in a hovercraft ride to the Isle of Wight?
    Excellent idea Nid. I've just checked about Clarence Pier and it seems to be some kind of amusement arcade which doesn't appeal so much, but a hovercraft ride across to the Isle of Wight certainly does. It may even give me another opportunity to wear my Captain's hat. An old friend/colleague of mine lives in Southampton so maybe I can incorporate these together, and maybe a place to leave the car? Good fossil hunting to be had on the Isle of Wight as well!

    It always reminds me of...




    [QUOTE=happynz;4390943]
    A paperclip can come in handy.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bonecollector View Post
    Old Japanese saying

    For want of a paper clip -- Bomb blew up -- many fucking died
    Good thinking guys, I've put the paper clip in with the Monopoly set. I may even add another.


    Quote Originally Posted by BLD View Post
    What do you have to do to get a night in Shelton mallot jail? Asking for a friend
    You have to pay to get in there these days mate... I thought it may serve as a warning to the littl'un to stay on the straight and narrow.

    History - Shepton Mallet Prison


    Quote Originally Posted by PAG View Post
    Somerset to Lyme Regis is a comfortable drive. I would recommend staying in decent pubs with accommodation. A sojourn over Dartmoor for the wild ponies is another possibility. Crossing into Cornwall, again staying on the south coast, possibly the Eden Project to visit also. Come back along the north coast, Bude etc, maybe have a look at Clovelly when you cross back into Devon, and stay on the north coast taking you back to Somerset.
    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    You're spoilt for choice of course, but Lulworth Cove in Dorset is spectacular.
    Thanks guys... I can see that it will take a lot more than 3 days in Lyme Regis to do the West Country justice. This is all starting to get a bit daunting... I wish someone could sort it all out for me and drive us around.

    PAG, my father grew up in Looe, and also my father's mother (my Grandmother) came from Meldon... in fact the house I grew up in was called Meldon for that reason. These are two places that need to be added for the family historical flavour. I'd like the daughter to know this stuff... it's easy to forget these things when living in Thailand.

    Pubs is a great idea... how do you book up accommodation in pubs? Booking.com or is it this AirBNB thing?

    Sabang, I've been to Lulworth Cove many times in the past for geological field trips... 'O' level, 'A' level and degree. It is indeed spectacular and thanks for reminding me... I forget that my daughter has never seen this stuff and it is now added to the list. In fact this will be the first time my daughter has visited the UK in the summer... and it will be my first time in over 15 years... I hope the weather's nice!


    Quote Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai View Post
    An excellent title for a thread of that type.
    .... her rich culture,
    I am very excited for you and look forward to reading about it.
    Kind words mate.

    I wondered about 'Oddysey' but I thought it sounded like one of those Victorian adventurers and I've always wished I did that. I just hope I don't spend 6 weeks pissed up on cider using my mum as a baby sitter. We shall see.

    As for rich... those days have long gone I'm afraid.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna View Post
    For the English cultural aspect, an afternoon at Weymouth beach to take in a Punch and Judy show, buy a plastic bucket and spade to make sandcastles together, eat some ice-cream and candy-floss, eat some fish and chips and play hide your sandwiches with the seagulls. You could also teach her to make a traditional knotted-hanky hat.
    Thanks Nev, Weymouth added. I think she's grown out of buckets and spades but a Punch and Judy show sounds good... you're never too young to learn about domestic violence!

    And I'll look for some handkerchiefs tomorrow so she can start practicing her knots.

  18. #18
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    Hi mendy, clarence pier is an amusement arcade. Was thinking your daughter might need that after looking at old boats!!

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    ^ Yeah, I see your point Nid.

    But bloody hell, after spending the day exploring my hero's flagship I'll be wanting a quiet couple of pints to reflect on the experience. The last thing I'd need would be a noisy amusement arcade full of kids!

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    ^ Yeah, I see your point Nid.

    But bloody hell, after spending the day exploring my hero's flagship I'll be wanting a quiet couple of pints to reflect on the experience. The last thing I'd need would be a noisy amusement arcade full of kids!
    I get it. Not 9nly the victory, but the mary rose and the naval museum. But you are going to have to give her a few things. Maybe one day the docks, next day the arcade and isle of wight.

    I can still remember my hovercraft ride, must be close to 50 years ago.

  21. #21
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    Erm Mendip i would never suggest going to a show, i fooking hate musicals or anything stage related with lovies, comedians maybe. I suggested you make use of the water taxi down the Thames to Greenwich - great views stuff to do.

    Trouble is with such a short trip you need to ensure it doesn't just turn into a whirlwind and ruin the experience by trying to fit too much in. Have you asked Mini what she'd like to see.

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    One i was going to add, checking dates. The Bristol Baloon Fiesta with the night glows - local to you and 11-14th Aug tho. 6pm so you could add it on to another local visit.

  23. #23
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    ^^ Whoops sorry mate, it must have been somebody else! You can see how easily things get mixed up.

    And yeah, this has to be a holiday foremost and not turn into a chore. The Clifton balloon fiesta is a 25 minute car ride from my mum's house... on the list!

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    ^ the night glows are unforgetable and certainly more professional than the first i went to in 82. She'll love it.

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    Looking forward to the pictures Mendy.

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