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Easy flight on Thursday to Rome which was hot and busy. Friday we did the bus tour and marvelled at the number and variety of really old stuff. Having fun crossing the roads-only on a crossing and no hesitation allowed- and the vehicles keep coming even when you are half way across!!

Did the other two "Hop on Hop off" routes, plus visited Notre Dame. So Paris well and truly visited. lovely meal on night, including tarte tatin to die for.
A and B to Frankfurt

We used the "Hop on Hop off bus" all day, starting on the yellow route in Montmartre, getting off at Eglise Madeleine for lunch, then joining the green route to the Eiffel Tower, where we got off and did a boat cruise down the Seine under 22 bridges. Then completed the green and yellow routes to eventually get to the hotel for 6, having been in the Champs Elysee at rush hour:)Alan and Barbara are in Amsterdam.

Early start to fly to Paris. Very wet in London, just dull in Paris. Traffic horrendous, journey to hotel interesting:)) Saw Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. In evening joined Paris cafe society plus visited Sacre Couer - mind blowing. Plus the view of Paris was unbeatable.

But it was a good one, driving through the Sussex and Hampshire countryside, visiting Chichester and Winchester on the way to our hotel near Heathrow. Tomorrow we split into two parties, all heading to Europe - so keep watching this space:)

Portsmouth has much to offer everyone. Up the Spinnaker Tower. Hovercraft to Isle of Wight. Ferry to Gosport. History. Boats. Shops. Then farewell meal in Brasserie Blanc. Yet another good day.

Wednesday saw us driving past Stonehenge (heaving with tourists!) and on to Lacock, full of historic buildings from the 13th century, featured in Cranford and Harry Potter, to name but two. Then on to beautiful Bath.

What can you say about Bath other than WOW. The whole city is a heritage site, and it is easy to see why.

We were all sad to leave Bath but saw stunning scenery en route to Portsmouth. First we visited the awe inspiring Cheddar Gorge, then on to Wells to enjoy England's smallest city. Then cross country with lovely views, including catching a long distance glimpse of the White Horse.

Down through the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire countryside to Banbury to see the Cross and the lady on the hoss (not white!!) Then to Oxford to marvel at the old buildings and history. Plus watching students graduate ie new history. And also the sun shone all day, so legs were on show again:)

In the morning we visited Warwick Castle and then St Mary's church, having lunch in a Tudor tea room. On then to Stratford - upon - Avon, followed by our return to Birmingham for the last time.

Set off at 9.30 to visit Kidderminster, then Worcester. After lunch drove back to Brum via Bromsgrove and Redditch, through various suburbs. Some then blobbed, some went on a canal boat trip, which was fascinating.

SAturday was at leisure in Birmingham. Some people walked (and sailed!!) the canals, learning how to pass through locks. Others took the tour bus around chocolate and custard factories etc, finishing up in the world famous, unique, Jewellery Quarter

Over to Winchcombe, then Bourton-on-the-water, lunch in Stow-on-the-wold then on to the jewel in the crown - Broadway. Finally battled our way through the Bank Holiday traffic back to Birmingham

East to Lichfield to walk around the centre and then visit the Cathedral, learning about the New Zealand connection. Up into Leicestershire for a lovely pub lunch, then down the M42 and M6 to Birmingham, driving through torrential, blinding rain - which stopped on arrival!!

We reluctantly left our Llanidloes hotel after a delightful gourmet 5 course meal last night. We visited Much Wenlock, then Ironbridge, followed by Blists Hill Victorian Town - lots of fun:) On to Boscobel House before braving the Midlands traffic to get to our overnight stop in Rugeley.

Spectacular drive to Devil's Bridge, then even more spectacular steam train ride to Aberystwyth. Up the cliff railway for magnificent views over Cardigan Bay, followed by paddling in the icy sea by some intrepid (mad?!) travellers - well done Cindy and Barbara.

Sunday was grey, cold, severely windy and wet. Hairy drive down the M6 to Blackpool, only to find the whole of the Promenade is up so couldn't drive along the sea front. Blustery drive to Chester, where weather cheered up for our town tour. Then on to Shrewsbury to stay in a 400 year old hotel, patronised by Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin.

Morning at leisure exploring Shrewsbury, then back into Wales via glorious mountain passes, stopping near Rhayader to learn the history of the Elan Valley and its dams. Then we drove along the River Wye to stay at a delightful hotel in Llanidloes

Perfect conditions for touring the Lake District, as the grey emphasises the grandeur of the lakes and mountains.The full day tour took in all the main lakes, including Coniston, plus Potter and Wordsworth country.

As the next two will be busy, we blobbed in Edinburgh till midday, had lunch at a pub in the Scottish Border country before visiting Gretna Green. Then back over the border to England for our stay in Carlisle.