Up early for our last full day of experiencing England. New Years Day is just going to the movies and just resting. We have all had it could not do much else. Catch the tube to Manor House and walk to Jason's and pick up the car for another stressful day for Sharon. We arrived about 8.30am got in the car and drove 2 mins for our first stop at Sainbury's so Katie can get some cold and flu tablets she is suffering from more English diseases. Katie was amazed at the size of the supermarket. Couldn't find what she wanted and had to asked directions. Found the tablets then back to the car. Sharon did well to get us out of London. We were on our way to Oxfordshire and through the Cotswalds. Jason and I was looking at what we could do he had researched a few places and decided to look for old Roman Villa ruins and a stone circle before we end up at Stratford on Avon. Jason plotted the coarse to North Leigh and the Roman Villa. The GPS took us through small lanes covered in puddles and mud. You need to pull over at times to let other vehicles pass so after a bit of sliding in the mud we were back on track again. Pulled out on a main road right where we needed to turn off to the Villa. Followed the signs and parked on the edge of the road. There was railway works near the villa so had to walk through a muddy field and follow there bypass pathway. Came to a gate with a very wet sign with running ink pointing us to the direction of the Villa. There was no workers today being New Years Eve so no one to been seen. Followed the path over the railway bridge to private property signs and no villa. Disillusioned we head back over the bridge to the runny ink sign. Found another sign saying if you want to go to the villa ask one of the workers to guide you. Great but what if no one is around. Wandered off back up the original pathway to the car which we are not meant to be on. No one around so could not see a problem. Came across another running ink sign directing us down a laneway. Yay finally found the Villa.
The foundations have been excavated and in a small housed enclosure is the original mosaic floor built back in the 4th Century AD. It was locked but you could see through the dirty window. Well intact for its age. Had a wander around few photos and on to the next spot.
We put in our coordinates and head to the Rollright Stones and the Kings Men Stone Circle. The stones are on an unmarked road between two villages and we hope for the best. Arrive at the no name road and turn off. We found the right one few cars parked off the side of the road so here we are. We walk over the other side of the road to a view over Long Compton village and rolling hills and cows and some stone with a metal fence circling it.
Back across to the other side of the road and in to see the Stone Circle. The Kings Men Stone Circle is 4500 old and was a gathering place for Neolithic people.
Had a wander around went and had a look at the Whispering Knights Burial Chamber. It is a set of stones which the myth says are suppose to move down to the River every New Years Day.
Very appropriate being New Years Eve.
Back to the car and put in the coordinates of Stratford on Avon. It took us through the Village of Long Compton and we found a Pub there called the Red Lion. Decide to have lunch here it was about 12.30pm. Didn't want to leave it like yesterday and have the chance of not getting lunch. Quite a few car in the carpark and we enter the door saying Restaurant and Baa. Had a chuckle by this and went down the stairs to another fantastic pub. They were busy but found us a nice table out the back through a labyrinth of tables and rooms. Jason asked what real ales were on tap and the waitress mentioned Hooky which was produced about 5 miles away Ok 2 pints of that. Nice beer strong flavour went down well. We all ordered lunch mainly from the set course menu. Once again great meals. Went off to find another ale at the bar and chose one called Cotswolds. Smoother than the other one and slid down even better. While I was at the bar there were more people wanting tables but they were being turned away no more room. We arrived here just on time again. After lunch Jason & Katie decided to play in the playground and try the obstacle course. The timber was very wet and slippery. Just as well Katie is female she could of had a very painful experience.
So onto Stratford and a nice drive through the country before we reached our destination. It was getting dark again so tried to drive to a couple of tourist spots mainly Shakespeare's birth house. Jason kept saying to turn but the road always seem to be one way streets going in the wrong direction. Decided to find a car park but above ground this time. Didn't have to pay, some lady gave us a ticket with 2 hours left on it. Went for a walk down to the canals getting very cold and dark. We then went and had a look for Shakespeare's house.
Sharon & Katie was more interested in the Christmas shop. Time to go and back to London and return the very damaged muddy car. We were suppose to fill up the car so we would not pay the exorbitant Avis fuel price. Sharon was fixated on getting the car back so didn't take any notice of us saying we need to fill up the car. We pulled up to the return bay and the attendant asked if we filled up the car. Sharon says she was to stressed to do anything about it. He told us we will pay a lot for the fuel at this stage Sharon just wanted to get away from the car. Next we had to tell him about the damage to the fender he replys by saying I will have to get my manager. The manager rocks up looks at our receipt and says thats OK you have taken out the insurance so there will be no cost and these things happen. Into the office to fill out an indecent report and told us there was about $1100 A damage. We didn't mention the other knocks.
Back on the tube and Jason and I decide to try and get into the New Years Fireworks in London. It is now 7.15pm and Jason thinks it will be to late. Katie & Sharon go back to the apartment. We arrive at Embankment station to crowds of people. We are herded through the streets and Jason says the best spots will be gone. They set areas aside first in get the better viewing sites then they fence them off and open up a new area. Eventually no one else is allowed in. They were still letting people in when we arrived but Jason decided we would not be in a great viewing area so both disappointed we head back to the apartment. We have a few drinks and being on the 6th floor we could get a view over London. Every now and then there was fireworks going off at random times throughout the city. Come midnight there was fireworks everywhere you look. We could see the main ones in Central London so I watched between the TV and our window. Much to Jason's annoyance because I kept blocking his view of the TV. Well after midnight you could still see fireworks everywhere. Private fireworks in England is not illegal. Jason leaves to go back home and we go straight to bed we are all absolutely exhausted.
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