Lindsay's Visit to the Cotswolds

While Lindsay was visiting we also took an extended weekend trip to the Cotswolds, popular for good hiking and quaint little villages. The Cotswolds are about 2.5 hours southwest of Cambridge. We stayed at the Old Stocks Hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold, built in the 16th century.

Walking in the Cotswolds

We walked through many wheat fields

Everything in out hotel was extremely crooked

cute Cotswolds houses

View of the valley

Cotswold houses are famous for being made from yellow limestone

Stonehenge / Plymouth / Devon and Cornwall

Over the four day Jubilee weekend we went camping on the south coast of Devon near Beesands. Without realising it, our trip took us right past Stonehenge, so of course we diverted our plans slightly to pay a visit. We also visited friends Patric and Julia and stayed at their house for one night in Plymouth. While camping we did several hikes and took a day trip to Padstow in Cornwall.

Stonehenge. Built before 2000 BC! Some of the stones weigh 50 tons.

Plymouth

Where the Mayflower left from Plymouth harbour

The farm where we camped

Campsite at Lower Beeson Farm

Hiking from Redlap to Dartmouth

Decorations in Dartmouth for the Queen's Jubilee

Padstow harbour

Beaches north of Padstow

Hiking north of Padstow- looking out to the Celtic Sea

Camping in Connemara

Over the 4th of July weekend we went camping in Connemara.  The first night we stayed in a B&B in Oughterard, then camped for two nights at Acton's campground on the coast in Connemara just outside of Clifden town.  We found the campground by googling "campgrounds in Ireland that allow campfires".  Apparently campfires aren't that popular in Ireland, but for us it's a must for proper camping enjoyment.  This place is right on the water and we'll definitely be going back.

Friends Britta, Weston and their dog Bailey joined us for one night camping.  One day we went to Kylemore Abbey in the Connemara National Forest.  Another day we hiked up Croagh Patrick, where St. Patrick is said to have banished all snakes from Ireland.  Hiking up to the summit of Croagh Patrick can be a pilgrimage for Catholics, or for people like us, a good hike with with nice views.

Our prime campsite

Lounging in the flowers

Acton's campground beach.  The water is surprisingly warmer here than on the east coast of Ireland.

Beach time

Cows on the beach

Kabobs

Kylemore Abbey

Presiding over the fire

A grilling trick taught to us by Martijn and Jorien-- melty grilled camembert on bread is so good!

Near the top of Croagh Patrick

At the summit

View of Clew Bay from Croagh Patrick

Portrush and Bushmills Distillery

After Giant's Causeway we continued north up to Portrush where we stayed the night.  The next morning we did some walking along the coast, visited Dunluce Castle, and toured the Bushmills distillery.

Michelle and Jesse enjoying some drinks

Breakfast at the Clarmont B&B

Richard's chuffed about the "Ulster Fry"

Dunluce Castle

beach walk

Bushmills Distillery

Bushmills whiskey tasting

Glendalough

We recently went to Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains.  Glendalough, or Gleann Da Loch in Irish, translates to "Glen of two lakes".  We saw the monastic settlement founded in the 6th century and walked through some of the old stone structures, some which date to the 8th-12th centuries.  Afterwards we did a hike to the two lakes, with a lakeside picnic in between.