Leamington Spa 1/11/12

Michael was awake very early today so he got up at 6.20 and took himself off for a big walk around the town while I dozed blissfully unaware that he had gone. I was however waking just as he arrived back at about 8am. So after a lovely shower in a proper bathroom and dressed without trying to avoid bumping into things, we headed downstairs for a coffee. Dafydd and Marian joined us and we had breakfast at their table in the dining room which overlooked their beautiful back garden.

It was a miserable day outside, but we are getting very used to that in the UK! Our plans for today were very simple! Michael and Dafydd headed off to the Axeminster Tool Shop which is a very large home handyman and professional tool store. A bit of a mecca for do-it-yourselfers! Michael saw lots of tools that he couldn't afford to buy as well as lots of tools that he either couldn't carry home or would have no room for in his garage. They prowled around the shop for a good hour before driving back along the picturesque countryside. Michael then spent the next little while cleaning the inside of the van in readiness for its return tomorrow. He then got half way around the outside of the van before he realised we didn't have to do it, but figured he would continue on rather than leaving it half dirty! (Old coach habits!)

Meanwhile Marian and I headed off in her Sporty Subaru to her favorite shopping haunt and we spent a thourably enjoyable few hours window shopping (and maybe purchased a couple of things along the way!) We stopped for a baguette and latte for lunch before heading back along a  very scenic route where Marian showed lots of gorgeous villages, old buildings with thatched rooves, Warwick Castle all of which were so picturesque, just what I imagined the UK villages would be like. It was a lovely day to be out, however I didn't have the camera with me, so not photos of this journey!

We arrived back a little after 3pm where we had a cuppa with Michael and Dafydd before we headed upstairs to make some sense of our suitcases and shopping. This took much longer than I thought but finally we now have our suitcases re-packed, shopping in our carry on bag and back packs all sorted in order for the final few days of our trip.

For dinner tonight, Marian and Dafydd had booked a table at their favorite pub where we headed for our 7.30 booking. We had the most delicious meal, lots of chatter and laughter, yummy dessert and overall a fantastic evening bringing to a close our visit to Leamington Spa with Dafydd and Marian.

What a wonderful way to end our UK road trip!