Where to next.

It's time I was gathering a few ideas for the trips I hope to take in the spring and summer. I take my map books to bed for a few minutes perusal before I nod off. The next step is to put the area I am interested in visiting into the yooootooob search engine, and see what videos are thrown up from people who have been there. 

I keep a notebook handy to jot down any places that I think might be worth checking out. Then look for web sites to find out more about a particular attraction which has caught my eye. This is how I worked out a route for my South Coast holiday, which turned out to be super exciting. I worked my way through Devon and Cornwall, ending with a flight from Lands End to the Isles of Scilly. The icing on the cake. 

September 2021 saw me in the Outer Hebrides, now that was a smashing holiday. Before that I went to North Wales and Anglesey. This year I might go to south Wales. 

When I started lorry driving This area was a regular route for me. Every Monday night would see me at Cardiff Lorry Park. Next day I would head off to Swansea and onward to Llanelli, taking in the valleys around Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd. I remember having a night out at Bridgend. I parked the trailer at the BRS depot and went to a pub in the tractor unit. I had a meal, and had a good night with a German driver who was also there for the night. I have to say I couldn't keep up with his drinking. 😜Boy was he knocking them back. It was a good laugh though. 

So, the research is on to plan some trips out. In the past people have asked me about my safety, travelling alone. My reply has always been I am careful, taking note of my surroundings, and being aware of anything that doesn't seem quite right. I am a fairly confident traveller and like to think I can take care of myself. 

Now I am going to make a confession. I am becoming a little bit jittery about some areas where there seems to be an increase in the amount of people who have come here from other parts of the world. There doesn't appear to be enough cross channel ferries to cope with the large numbers wishing to come. Smaller vessels are being sent to bring them in. Only yesterday it was reported that around 500 of these invited guests arrived from France, courtesy of the Border Force taxi service. I call them invited guests because it's obvious to me that's exactly what they are. 

There does seem to be rather a lot of them, and have you noticed that most of them are men of a certain age. They are being spread far and wide throughout the country. I have to admit, as confident as I am, I feel rather intimidated by them hanging around in groups. It's just the sheer volume which is quiet worrying. Hotels are filling up at an alarming rate, seaside resorts, town centres, and some big hotels in rural areas. 

I hope to keep on exploring parts of Britain that I am not familiar with. As I have mentioned many times, I love big open spaces. I love fields, canals, rivers, hills, mountains, villages, and the coast. Let's hope they don't become too overcrowded while I am still able to travel around. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona