Our latest adventure in Peggy took us through some of the most charming towns in the west of England, combining art, history, riverside views, Christmas markets and a few unexpected moments that still make us laugh.
Our journey began in the historic town of Tewkesbury, where Peggy settled in for the night. Tewkesbury is one of England's best-preserved medieval towns, famous for its timber-framed buildings and magnificent abbey. Walking through the narrow streets felt like stepping back in time, with centuries of history around every corner.
One of the highlights of our visit was exploring several wonderful art galleries. Among the many inspiring pieces on display, one artwork particularly caught our attention – a beautiful mixed-media painting of a hare bursting with texture, colour and character. Another fascinating piece was an etching of a rat, cleverly created using an old CD. The circular shape of the disc became part of the artwork, giving the impression of a wheel and transforming an everyday object into something completely unexpected. It was a wonderful reminder of how artists can find creativity in the most unlikely materials.
As evening arrived, we enjoyed a relaxing drink in a riverside pub, watching the water gently flow past. With the lights reflecting on the river and the day's exploring behind us, it was the perfect way to end our first day.
The following morning we set off on the Livewire for a ride into Gloucester. Gloucester has a rich history stretching back to Roman times when it was known as Glevum. We headed towards the famous docks, which were buzzing with festive activity thanks to the Christmas market. The Victorian warehouses surrounding the docks create a unique atmosphere, and browsing the market stalls was a great way to spend the morning.
One stall in particular stood out, selling a range of unusual tea-based liqueurs. It certainly wasn't something we had expected to find and sparked plenty of conversation as we wandered around the market soaking up the festive atmosphere.
From Gloucester, the Livewire carried us onwards to Cheltenham. Known as one of England's finest Regency towns, Cheltenham is full of elegant architecture, wide tree-lined streets and grand terraces built during the early nineteenth century. The town was thriving with shoppers and visitors, creating a lively atmosphere. We spent a happy few hours browsing the excellent charity shops and admiring the beautiful Regency buildings that give Cheltenham its distinctive character.
After our time in Cheltenham, we returned to Peggy and continued our journey to the picturesque market town of Ross-on-Wye. Nestled above a bend in the River Wye, Ross is often described as the birthplace of British tourism, thanks to the eighteenth-century travellers who came to admire the spectacular scenery.
We found a lovely riverside spot to park up and spent time enjoying the peaceful surroundings. While exploring the town, we noticed the charming hedgehog emblem that appears around Ross-on-Wye. The little hedgehogs seemed to pop up everywhere and quickly became a favourite part of our visit.
Of course, no Peggy adventure would be complete without an amusing story. During a visit to Lidl, the cashier suddenly called out, "Alright Arnie, how are you?" causing complete surprise. It turned out Arnie's name was embroidered on his fleece, making him instantly recognisable to someone he'd never met! The look of shock on his face was priceless and provided plenty of laughter for the rest of the trip.
On our journey home, we stopped in the beautiful Worcestershire town of Pershore. Situated on the banks of the River Avon, Pershore is famous for its Georgian buildings, historic abbey and fruit-growing heritage. We planned to stop for lunch and enjoy one of the local cafés, but unfortunately it seemed that every café had decided to take the day off. Despite our best efforts, we found ourselves wandering around increasingly hungry while peering hopefully through closed doors.
Although lunch plans didn't quite work out, Pershore was still a lovely place to stretch our legs and admire the attractive streets before beginning the final leg of our journey home.
Looking back, this adventure had everything we love about travelling in Peggy: fascinating history, beautiful scenery, inspiring art, festive markets, riverside evenings and plenty of unexpected moments. From medieval Tewkesbury and historic Gloucester to elegant Cheltenham, peaceful Ross-on-Wye and charming Pershore, every stop brought something different and memorable.
And thanks to one startled Arnie in Lidl, it's certainly a trip we won't forget anytime soon.
Until the next adventure,
Peggy
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