Claire's Blog – Page 5 – Claire Stanton's Blog

26th November 20189th August 2021

Cowboy Boots

Monday 26th November 2018

First stop Frothy Monkey and pancakes for breakfast followed by a quick pit stop at the Ryman giftshop for Wendy.

Then it was time for some shopping. Purchased a teal top and black hooded cardigan with Nashville skyline in silver and sparkles. Tried on boots in a couple of shops but very expensive.

Next it was a tour of the George Jones museum on 2nd Avenue where I go to try out a wooden rocking chair, followed by lunch in the downstairs restaurant. Sweet potato fries and coleslaw with live music.

Afterwards headed back up broadway but only as far as Bootleggers Inn which had a great singer on stage before heading back to hotel.

This evening we took advantage of the hotel shuttle, as it was so cold, to get to the wildhorse saloon for live music and line dancing. Cola was only $3.20 with free re-fills – cheap evening!

We had dinner in a pizza place off broadway and then stopped in at Roberts Western World for some more traditional country music before calling it a night.

25th November 20189th August 2021

Nashville TV

Sunday 25th November 2018

Went to a lovely coffee shop round the corner from the hotel for breakfast this morning called Funky Monkey. Had amazing pancakes with bacon and fresh fruit.

After breakfast we went back to the Ryman for the gift shop, was too busy last night to look properly. Brought a couple of post cards and for myself a silver bracelet and black T-shirt with Ryman on it in silver.

This afternoon we went on a Greyline bus tour of the TV program “Nashville”. It showed us where all the characters houses were and where lots of it were filmed, a lot out in East Nashville which seemed a nice place, all the houses have swing seats on their porches. It also included a tour of the Ryman Auditorium and we got to have our photo taken on the stage, and see a video of how it all started.

In the evening we went to Broadway for dinner at a bar that was showing the ice hockey game. Afterwards we went to a Honkey Tonk, still on Broadway, for a drink and music.

24th November 20189th August 2021

Welcome Y’All

Saturday 24th November 2018

This morning we walked down to the Johnny Cash museum for breakfast – French toast yum!

After breakfast we went round the Johnny Cash museum, and were impressed by all the memorabilia they have. Even got a photograph taken with the man himself – technology is a great thing.

There is a new bridge over the Columbus river which we walked over for a few photographs. A scene from the NashVille TV program was filmed on the bridge with Rayner and Deacon.

View of downtown Nashville from the bridge of the Columbus river

Next it was lunch at the country music hall of fame and some shopping.

This evening we went to see Opry at the Ryman, tonight star of the show was Rodney Crowell. Before the show we had a drink in the bar and brought a poster of the shows line up.

Afterwards we had dinner in Pucketts where they had live music and gave us 66% discount for the delay we hadn’t noticed!

23rd November 20189th August 2021

We’re All Going On A …….Music Holiday

Friday 23rd December 2018

Taking advantage of British Airways direct flights to Nashville, so much quicker without a change, arrive at a smaller airport and in time for some dinner before bed so not too many issues with jet lag.

I love country music and hear so much about Nashville from my friend Wendy it has been on my too visit for so long. Am looking forward to lots of live music.

The first impressions of our hotel were this amazing lobby as we arrived and the very helpful, friendly staff.

28th October 20189th August 2021

Breakfast in Bed

Sunday 28th October

Bonus extra hour in bed and we had breakfast in bed – well delivered to our room which had a lounge area. A very spoilt way to start the day – juice, cereal, toast, fruit and hot chocolate.

I was feeling the effects of yesterday’s flu jab, lumpy achy arm and a cold 🙁 , so decided to head home after breakfast and re-packing.

It was lunch time when we got to Olney (different route home due to road work), so we had a look around before going to teapots. Gavin had some strawberry and raspberry fizz, soup and chocolate cake, I went for a ham sandwich (with salad, crisps) and the usual diet coke.

All that remained of our lunch in Teapots

Then it was back home to unpack and do some washing. An eager squirrel was on the table awaiting a walnut.

Early night tonight the F1 race is recorded and can wait until tomorrow.

27th October 20189th August 2021

Fly me to the moon

Saturday 27th October

We have been home two whole weeks since our Scotland/Lake District adventure so must be time for a weekend away right?

After a trip to the doctors for my flu jab and the garage for Gavin to collect his car now with its MOT certificate, we were on our way to Peterborough.

It was lunch time when we got to Peterborough so first stop some food, we found a Bills in the centre so chicken burgers all around.

After Bills we headed to the cathedral which is impressive by itself but currently has Tim Peak’s Soyuz capsule and space suit on display which is the main reason for our visit to Peterborough.

It is very well displayed with atmospheric lighting. It is very impressive and looks really solid, the capsule is also a lot smaller than the Apollo capsule we saw on display at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

They also had a space suit (not real) that you could have your photo in, it was just front half you stood behind, being the big kid I am I had to give it a go.

After a small adventure we found our hotel for the night, the Pearl Hotel, and had an afternoon siesta.

We were both relatively full from lunch so instead of dinner we went to nearby Creations Dessert Lounge for the most amazing waffles and milkshake before heading back to the hotel to watch F1 qualifying.

Strawberry Waffle with hot chocolate sauce, cream, coconut ice cream

12th October 20189th August 2021

Full Steam Ahead

Friday 12th October

Weather back to the expected grey and wet we decided to spend our last day at the Havethwaite and Lakeside steam railway.

We got to Havethwaite near lunch time after lie in and there was a 40 minute wait for the next train so rather than wait in the cold we took advantage of the cafe and had lovely hot soup and bread.

The train arrived in a cloud of steam and we climbed aboard, the journey is about 20 minutes to Lakeside with a short stop at Nethy Bridge along the way.

Gavin on the Havethwaite & Lakeside train

Me on the Havethwaite and Lakeside train

There was an announcement just before we got to Lakeside to say that due to the weather conditions the boats were coming in from the lake and not going back out.

View of Windermere from Lakeside station

The train stops at Lakeside for about 15-20 minutes before heading back, as the boats were not running we decided to have a look around the station and view out over the lake before getting back on the train to head back.

On the train travelling back from Lakeside to Havethwaite

When we got back to Havethwaite, I went up on the bridge over the track to watch the engine coming around the train ready for it’s next trip to Lakeside.

Engine coming around the train to head back out

Before heading back to our cottage we had some drinks and scone (Gavin) and cake (me) in the cafe that we hadn’t had time for earlier.

In the evening we went out (getting soaked in the process) for dinner to a lovely Italian restaurant Gavin had spotted in Bowness. It was a lovely way to finish off our holiday, just the long drive home tomorrow now.

10th October 20189th August 2021

Blue Sky Boat

Wednesday 10th October

Blue skies and 21 degrees, what is happening?

Had to take advantage of this rare day, so headed back into Bowness and booked to go on a boat tour of Lake Windermere. It was 45 minute tour of the lake and had good commentary about the different islands and buildings along the shore.

After our boat tour we had some lunch from a bakery, sausage roll for me and pasty for Gavin, we also both picked up a pastry for desert later.

We wandered back down to the lakeside and had a local ice cream surrounded by swans and geese while watching the boats out on the lake.

Swan (who wanted to share the ice cream!)

For dinner tonight we used up potatoes as wedges with chicken and a pizza pocket for Gavin followed by our pastries brought from the bakery.

9th October 20189th August 2021

Afternoon Tea

Tuesday 9th October

Today we ventured into Bowness to find the supermarket to stock up the cottage for rest of the week. There was a small Tesco express but was able to get what we needed.

After taking the shopping back to the car with plenty of time left on the parking meter we had a look around some of the shops. I brought some Edinburgh rock for Christine and a chocolate pig for Charlotte.

We found a lovely traditional tea room for some lunch. Gavin tried the potatoe and chive soup followed by apple and cinnamon pie (they had run out of the pear) while I had ham sandwich and victoria sponge.

8th October 20189th August 2021

Wheel Horses

Monday 8th October – distance travelled 224 miles

We started the day with a great breakfast with a great view. It was such a lovely hotel and room we were sad to be leaving after just one night.

Gavin did the first leg of the drive which was to Falkirk to see the Falkirk Wheel, the weather was unsurprisingly wet and grey so decided we didn’t want to go on the wheel just watch it go round.

Afterwards I picked up a toy highland cow and a highland cow puzzle book for Charlotte as her gift for looking after the hedgehogs and squirrels while we were away. Then we headed to a lovely restaurant just up the road for dinner.

After dinner we visited the Kelpies which are very big and sparkly and well worth a visit.

I took over the driving and we started to head south as the weather started to get even worse and there were yellow alerts being issued around Glasgow and south for high winds. I stopped after about 40 miles to switch from contact lenses to glasses Gavin saw I was struggling and took back over the driving all the way to Windermere. He did a great job in very tricky, wet and windy conditions.

We found our cottage for the next few nights and unloaded the car once again, this time we both have a double room 🙂