Oxford to Wales (2 May)

Big travel day today - which equates to an early start!! I've bought our bus tickets to take us to Heathrow to pick up our car rental, and worked out the time we need to catch the local bus into the city (to meet the airline bus).

I'm up by 6.15am and as I'm finishing off in the shower, hear Sue's alarm in readiness for her to get up. To make the 'suitcase trek' down the narrow steps easier, Sue's pulled out some of her things - great idea as we carry it down with barely an extra breath expelled. We'll miss this place as it was cosy and comfy, but our quick detour into Wales to visit Caernarfon Castle awaits. It was a recommendation from my sister, but when we were there in 2019 it was closed (which only happens twice a year!!).

We catch an earlier (than planned) bus into the city and a lady vacates her seat for me so I can sit with my suitcase (and move out of the way for other passengers). The ride is a bit slower today as all the workers drive to work, but when we arrive at our stop, we walk across the road to await our airline bus with time to spare. 

One is due in 2 mins (I'd booked the 8.15am, which is the following bus), so when it arrives I ask the Driver if we can jump on this one or if we need to wait for the next one. He was happy to take us, so everything is going swimmingly. About 90 mins later we are dropped off at a stop that was closest to Hertz and start our 7 min suitcase walk 🚌. Thankfully we passed Hertz on the way to the bus stop, so we knew where to go. The path 'ran out' a couple of times, so after crossing the road twice, we arrived safe and sound to a busy Hertz check-in 🚗.

Thankfully they had a great system - take a number, sit down and wait to be called. I entertained myself by watching a family of 3 fluff around with the Hertz guy (who was being very patient and giving them great explanations as to the options they had). As every other Hertz person worked their way through customers, these 3 remained at the same booth. 

Another plus for us - Hertz had the cleanest, nicest toilets to utilise whilst we waited. We were called after about 30 mins and eager to be on our way (and discover what car we were getting).

I'd booked this car almost a year ago, so was hoping we wouldn't have any issues. The Hertz guy was fantastic and explained they didn't have any cars available at the moment that weren't electric - which we didn't want. He was very apologetic and frustrated as he just wanted to help us be on our way. He found a potential car and went asked his boss if we could have it. Unfortunately it had to be returned to Heathrow - which we can't do.

He wasn't happy, so kept trying. He then saw an SUV Mercedes and it was free. Our eyes LIT UP - however as he started to book it someone else had already grabbed it, so he rang the guys who clean the returned cars and told them what we needed. As we were completing the paperwork (to hurry up the process when a car was available), a guy came to tell him he had a car available. Whoo hoo. 

He booked it straight away for us and it is a Volvo hybrid SUV with WiFi and satnav - about a double upgrade and worth over 100K. It's absolutely beautiful and a dream to drive. Here tis:

Once I'd sorted out the seat and mirrors we left Heathrow to visit St Martins Church - Sue's 4x great grandmother is buried there. We then headed off to a lovely village called Turville, which is where the Vicar of Dibley church is and also the windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Beautiful scenic drive for about 45 mins:

Unfortunately the church is being repaired, so it has scaffolding all around it and you can't enter. We were able to photograph her little house next to the church and grabbed a shot from the series showing her and cast mates standing in front of the house:

From a distance we were also able to grab a snap of the windmill filmed in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Side bar - Sue just told me Hayley Mills bought the house and windmill after the shooting and recently sold both for 9 million pounds 💰!!

Once we took our snaps, we decided it was lunchtime and found a lovely pub. Out the front 2 guys started chatting with us - both with daughters in Perth (one living there and the other is visiting - really is a small world). One worked in the pub, so when we entered he put on some Aussie band music - which was lovely. Both had a great English pub meal;

• Sue, steak and ale pie with peas, mash, gravy and OJ; 
• Me, fish, rice & OJ;
• Both were scrummy. 

Met another Aussie in the pub (originally from Warrnambool, but now living in Windsor), who pet sits up to 30 min drive away. Not a bad life 🐕. Here's the front of the pub:

After our hearty meal, we continued our 3hr 45 min journey to Connahs Quay in Wales. I certainly was better driving the car by the time we arrived. Only had to u-turn twice and turned the wipers on twice instead of the indicator!!

We are staying in an old diary barn that's been converted to 3 flats. Fantastic location and it all looks pretty brand spanking new. Looking forward to a shower and lovely sleep.

Just before I sign off, looks like Chippy has reappeared and found a new mate to have a chinwag with on one of our steps:

Tomorrow we will visit a local waterfall and ruined Castle before heading to Caernarfon Castle.

Bye for now.......🛌