Rob-n-Hild Take the High Road!

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South to Shays Farm Campsite (Chester) Driving: 219 km in 3:28 hours to max of altitude 325 metres

On our way to our next campsite outside Chester, we decided to do some sightseeing. We stopped in Morcombe Bay to take our photo outside the Winter Gardens. Fifty years ago Liz worked here as a Tiller Girl. This is also where she met John so good times! Sadly the Winter Gardens is not in use these days. We looked for posters for upcoming events, but all we found was an application for "Building Change of Use". So the good old days are not coming back any time soon.

We love this photo of Liz as a Tiller Girl back in the 70s.

We also enjoyed a bit of lunch overlooking Morcombe Bay. It was high tide at the time and we didn't have time to wait to see the different at low tide. Rob tells us that at very low tide one can drive across the mud flats to the other side of the bay. Doesn't sound like a good idea.

We borrowed this photo from Google Street View to see the view at lower tide, and worse weather.

Near the Winter Gardens they have this nice-looking beach. Not many people were out enjoying the beach, probably because the main summer holiday starts this coming weekend.

At least we were happy to see that in the winter both dogs and horses are welcome to enjoy beach life.

Near the beach we also enjoyed a walk in a floral garden. The lawnmower-guy was working hard while we were there.

Along the harbour walk they had decorated the fences with silouettes of different kinds of birds. Nice way to cheer up an otherwise sad-looking fence.

Oddly enough, we both had a hankering for ice cream. That doesn't happen often for Rob. It was probably due to the seaside vibe reminding him of childhood visits. There were so many shops selling ice cream. We choose Wallings right across from the beach. Hild wanted two scoops with different flavours but didn't realize that this meant a GIANT cone the size of her head. We soldiered on and finished the whole lot. Favourite flavour was Lemon Meringue with actual bits of meringue in the ice cream. Yum!

By an amazing coincidence we managed to catch up with three of Hild's relatives on our way southwards to Chester. Auntie Anne invited us to visit her new retirement apartment. It is an excellent size with balcony overlooking a flower meadow. On such a sunny day it was a treat.

Kerry, Hild's cousin, was also visiting Anne. Kerry kindly served us some snacks, scones, and tea. It was great to catch up again after we visited near Gairloch a week ago.

It was a special treat to see Sophie, Hild's second cousin (once removed). Hild last saw her when Sophie was two, and Rob had never met her.

We chatted about life since we last saw each other - and passed on greetings from relatives in Norway.

The drive southwards to our campsite at Shays Farm was uneventful - except for the moment of excitement when Percy's mileage counter turned to 100,000 miles. Woohoo.

We were welcomed at the campsite by staff who showed us our pitch and facilities and where to find nearby pubs. It is a lovely campsite which we will enjoy for the next four nights while exploring the Chester area - and doing some work.

Another sign that its a small world: Cousin Lyn knows the owners of the campsite. We didn't know this before we booked a spot here. What a coincidence!

Coming up: Shays Farm Campsite (Chester)

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