CREATE A PURPOSE FOR YOUR VISIT

There is always so much to do and see that creating an overall theme for your trip can help to focus your time and travels.  I’ve listed a few of the goals that we have imposed on our trips in the past so you have an idea what I am talking about. Of course, your particular  proclivities and avocations will dictate your specific choices and locations.  

We spent one trip investigating Arthurian Legends in the Somerset/Glastonbury area; the poetry of Wordsworth and the walks of Dickens established parameters for our visit to the Lake District; research I was doing on William Penn restricted us to areas of Suffolk and Chorleywood in the northern suburbs of London;  the travels of Saints Cuthbert, Bedes, and Wilfred were focused in the cold climes of  Northumberland; following in the footsteps of the walks that C.S. Lewis took in Devon was a delight;  and walking  much of the Pilgrim’s Way from South London to Canterbury Cathedral covered lovely bits of the South Downs.  In addition, we have searched for stone circles--seeking out the smaller  B.C. offerings which can be found off the beaten paths.  Sadly, impressive Stonehenge is commercialized and access restricted, but Avebury monoliths of Wessex still allow an up close experience.  Less esoteric efforts included caves, stones, gates, gardens,  and songs sung in tin mines.

  Bring a small spiral notebook to record what you see and your reactions.  You will find that your ‘turn of phrase’ will quickly improve as you jot down specifics of a conversation or the name of an exotic flower or wall stone design provided by a local farmer. Both my wife and I have taken to the whimsical folk renderings that many artists have displayed in depicting the English coast and countryside,  so we regularly visit an ever expanding array of galleries in hopes of finding just the right piece for our library wall. 

Next year I’d like to shape our perambulations around  John Bjeteman’s poetry, especially his writings on the Cornish churches, vistas, and saints.  He was poet laureate in the seventies and eighties of England, and both my wife and I fell in love with his sonorous, thoughtful, and so, so lyrical descriptions of his beloved West country.  I am going to digress slightly and relate just how we were introduced to Bjeteman’s poetry, because the circumstances surrounding this discovery provide justification for the very tack that this essay is pursuing—discovering England through walks, people and places that the tour guides and busses cannot possibly provide.  

                                                                                               

Getting There, car rental, roundabouts,

GETTING THERE

    Ah, that soaring feeling I get upon leaving Heathrow following the signs that say M4 --To The West Country,-- purposefully turning my back on roads heading London way.  We recommend that you rent an economy or compact size vehicle, no bigger, because there are certain roads in England which make the standard or luxury  an unnecessary hazard. Even with economy class you will be whipped by branches from the hovering hedge rows which reach up on either side of the smaller ‘B’ roads.  Before you take off check your vehicle over closely for scratches and  missing accouterments such as radio antennas. A GPS is recommended, the robotic accent always a delight. They are particularly helpful when navigating the succession of traffic roundabouts, guaranteed to present an adrenaline rush.   dealing with roundabouts

We don’t recommend the ‘mini’ only because if you both have bags the trunk will hardly contain them.  In fact, if you can,  go "carry-on" coming over, and buy a used piece of luggage at an Oxfam store or other charity thrift stores, which can be found on the high street of just about every town,  to fill with smaller antiques; books; jars of honey, rough cut marmalade; prints; fabric; and gifts for those back home. Most of the car rentals are stick shift, you pay a bit more for automatic. In really hilly town intersections the automatic will keep you from sliding back into the grill work of the local behind you, who, more likely than not, will have nosed up scant inches from your back bumper.  Another suggestion: master the wipers, lights, gas cap, and radio BEFORE you leave the rental lot, and make sure you have a manual in the glove compartment.  (From the Voice of Experience.) 

You will also be driving on the wrong side of the road.  This will cause the driver’s passenger to resort to all sorts of  squeals, exhortations, and full out screams.  Once you hit the M highway’s it’s not so bad.  One thing I’ve noticed is that you will have a tendency to drift gently left, often hitting the curb or the cat’s eyes on the left side of the road. The key is to take your time, and don’t follow anyone very closely.  Yes, the English scoot around with great alacrity and you will get some horn blasts here and there, but that’s better than an accident. Just smile weakly, shrug, and give the offended driver a gentle wave as the Queen does when promenading in her horse drawn carriages.

You’ve just flown seven hours and missed a night's sleep-but caught up on that movie you had wanted to see.  You are more exhausted than you could imagine, so stop at the rest areas often, take a short nap if necessary, and don’t push yourself the first day by driving more than five hours if possible.   You'll be pleasantly surprised by the good food selection at the Tessco and Marks and Spenser fast stop shops at the rest stops.  Distances seem short in England, but once you get off the super highways, road time doubles to what it might be in the States. As you drive by castle ruins, through quaint villages, and stunning vistas, your passenger seat partner will be full of ‘ohhs and ‘ahhs’, and ‘look’s’ and ‘did you see’s’?.  Regretably,  as the driver you will only catch bits and pieces of what is being taken in by your voluble friend on the left, but don’t be tempted.  Remember, your ultimate objective is not to see England via auto, so pull over and take a short hike from a lay by to satisfy  your aesthetic longings and drink in the beauty and uniqueness of the countryside close-up.