So, an early rise in order to pack and do all the little things you have to do to close down a house before you leave. We found our feeder coach near to Bath bus station without much difficulty and left on time, picking up from various obscure points on our way to Gloucester where we met the main coach that came  from Cornwall.  Evidently the coach started at 5:15 AM so that was definitely a long trip for those coming from such a long distance.

This was the time of the floods, particularly the Severn estuary so in a voyeuristic fashion we played ‘spot the flood’.  95% of the countryside was wet but not flooded, its the area Worcester, Gloucester and later we were to find York, that suffered the most.

a restful outdoor area very good for relaxing but only in the warmer weather I would imagine See service station below.

We stopped at the most delightful and refreshing pickup point I have ever encountered, the Gloucester service station. .  To save me repeating myself I refer you to my Trip Advisor review of the same.  Someone had the bright idea of abandoning the usual franchise formula of which I’m so sick,  and designing a health food restaurant environment together with a health food shop.  It really is worth knowing about and stopping off at if you are on the M5. GL4 0DN

We arrived at our destination hub for the four nights, the Britannia Leeds Bradford airport hotel and settled in after quite a long journey, about seven hours.  When I arrive I like to arrange all my clothes in a tidy fashion so I know where everything is. If I have a complaint – which I didn’t this time – I find the best thing is to refrain from unpacking and go straight back to reception asking for a room change.  Normally you get one..