After we got back from Canterbury we hung around Oxford for quite a while, going to town to see the sights, mostly museums. It was nice to be able to linger over the display cases at the Pitt Rivers. Part of the time was the weekend so we were able to visit a bit more with Anne and Del. We went shopping with them at TK Maxx, their Winners.

The trouble with being able to do anything you want is that it’s hard to narrow down. Finally Geoff arranged a car rental (which I wanted to do all along but was not going to press since I would not be driving). We decided to go to Ironbridge since we both are interested in industrial history. To our relief the car has a built-in GPS, otherwise we would still be circling Oxford. It was pretty straightforward getting here but still stressful getting used to the roads again. “Curb! Wrong side of road! Go around the roundabout again!”

We have really enjoyed it here. There are 10 museums, mostly focussed on the development of the iron industry which took off here in the 1700s, and I was so happy to see the actual iron bridge that was the first ever built. I don’t know why but it made me happy to see it. We went to a Victorian village yesterday, same idea as Fort Edmonton, but again we were most interested in the blast furnaces and ironworks.

Hotel is nice. This is a place where English tourists go for the weekend so we are definitely in the minority. It is half-term so lots of families everywhere.

We have rented a cottage near Bath for after this. Hoping to stop at a National Trust place on the way. Then it will be a few more days at Anne’s, then to London and the cruise.

Last night was the time change here. We had no idea until this morning.