Week 2 & 3: Weymouth, Somerset and Bristol

First up after London, we headed south to the beautiful seaside town of Weymouth! Despite it being a harshly cold winter day, a stroll along the waterfront demonstrated how nice it was (and surely even better in the summer!). Upon arrival, we had our first scare of leaving our belongings behind.. thankfully the bus hadn't left the depot when Ally remembered we had four backpacks when we left Poole! Weymouth was originally planned to be a short stopover before heading to Jersey Channel Island (Ally's mother's birthplace), however due to dangerous weather conditions causing repeated ferry cancellations we were forced to postpone our journey to Jersey until (hopefully) the end of the trip.

Weymouth Beach

Weymouth also featured a terrific harbour, filled with colour and charm! After building an appetite for authentic british food, we stopped for some (delicious) fish and ships at a local pub.

 

Two meals for nine pounds, you beauty!

Luckily our hosts, Helen and Richard, were so welcoming and kind enough to let us stay with them for a few extra days while we enjoyed the town. It was great spending time with Helen, Kat (Ally's cousins), Rich and Phil; where we enjoyed a terrific pie and ale at the Pie & Ale!

Prior to heading North, and due to severe flooding on the rail network, we enjoyed only a brief visit to Jean's (Gerry's mother) house in Wareham and then made tracks to Somerset!

Ally's great aunt and uncle, Jane and Peter, welcomed us to their beautiful home (Dial House) in West Lydford. We went for our first run of the trip here (finding it hard to scavenge any motivation). Afterwards we went for a 5 mile walk, where we experienced the magnificent countryside first hand.

Somerset cider orchard where we saw our first fox! (quick shoot it!) Unfortunately too fast for a picture.

While staying with Jane and Peter, they took us to visit the magical (literally..) town of Glastonbury with its shops full of candles, spellbooks, broomsticks and other tools for witchcraft. Then onto Wells where we saw the beautiful cathedral & some Australian slice (cornflakes and golden syrup in chocolate) in a cafe. 

Sunin'

It was great to get together with some of Ally's extended family, including her grandmother's brother Harry and his daughters & grandkids - they send their love to everyone back in Australia! Hopefully we can see you all again soon.

Sandra and Adrian have kindly taken us travelers in for a week and we're enjoying exploring Bristol from their home. So far we've been blessed with some bright winter weather!

(Continuing on Matt's engineering holiday....)

Today we walked down the hipster Park Street, with some decent coffee (hoorah!), quirky shops and plenty of man-buns.

To later add to Ally's collection?

 We visited the Bristol museum; but likely in near record time. We're becoming good at efficiently investigating museums.

In the art gallery we entered a portraits room and Ally turned around to find Matt checking out the aircon...

What's this guy's deal...?

We've been enjoying the luxuries of family homes lately, but here's some proof that we are backpacking! Promise!