Travelogue 5 UK-Scotland Trip Part 4

We were heading back to England after spending time at Edinburgh Castle and the souvenir shop nearby. 

We totally rely on Garmin as none of us have been to Durham or even travel from Scotland to England via Newcastle. We were enjoying the journey to the maximum as Garmin brought us to a country road where the scenery was very eye soothing. Sheeps, cows and horses grazing the grass, windmills on a hilly farmyard and the trunk road is in a good conditions. If in comparison with Malaysia, the quality of road is at par with PLUS highway but it is to connect Kuala Lipis to Gua Musang or those road in Felda. 

However, we were quite worried as the road is like endless, not so much signboard, unfamiliar name of places and in fact we were not sure whether we were in Scotland or England. I remembered we crossed a town named Jetburgh which after that we assumed we were still in Scotland.

Until we saw this...

Border of England and Scotland

Destination #9 - Beamish Museum, Durham

Beamish is a living, working and open museum, set in 300 acres of beautiful Durham countryside. Costumed folk bring to life the Town, Pit Village, Home Farm and Pockerley Old Hall.

The Beamish Unlimited Pass is valid for 1 whole year from the date of your visit which can be purchased year round for the prices listed below:

Adult : £18.50
Senior (60 years) / Student: £13.50
Child (5 - 16 years): £10.50
Family (1 Adult + 2 Children): £34.50
Family (2 Adults + 2 Children)  : £48.50
Family (2 Adults + 1 Child) :  £42.50

The small town

They do not provide ticket for one-off visit. So we have to pay for 365 days ticket. But it was worth it. I'm not into history and museum but the way they present the concept of museum has made it an interesting place to visit.

There are actors/volunteer including school children which pretend/doing role play to live in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, together with portions of countryside under the influence of industrial revolution in 1825. The museum's guiding principle is to preserve an example of everyday's life in urban and rural North East England at the climax of industrialisation in the early 20th century.

The buildings at Beamish are not replicas, but have been brought, brick by brick, from around the region and rebuilt to give visitors a real sense of history. Let the beautiful pictures tell the stories...

The home farm..Kimi touched the sheep

The Old Railway

Tram as main transportation in the 300 acre area

Spot me among the children? It was a role play to evacuate the school building

Lil bro with his name on the board..so proud huh!

It is recommended to spend one whole day at this museum. Unfortunately, we have to leave this amazing place by noon as we have to continue our journey to Bedford. For those who could spend more time in Durham, this place is a two thumbs up. The journey continued for another 4 hours.

4 hours tiring journey heading to London from North East

We stayed at a two storey house of my father's friend (Uncle Rasol and Autie Norli). It is a Muslim's area as we can see few mosques, Halal restaurants  and Halal groceries stores around the neighborhood. Uncle Rasol and Auntie Norli also provide their accommodation to Malaysian who wish to have a short visit in London or nearby area with a very affordable charges. It is not a big house (typical British houses) but it's comfortable enough for a short stay.

Destination #10 - Bicester Village

This is a much awaited moment for my Mama. I purposely arranged visit to Bicester towards the end of the trip so that she can has something to look forward along the journey.One whole day at Bicester Village without Abah. Abah was very busy at Uncle Rasol's house packing his figs for 'export' to Malaysia.

No pictures taken at Bicester as we are so busy window shopping. I kept on saying don't compare with US Dollar, don't convert to RM or otherwise I'll end up buying nothing for myself. After 4 hours walking around the outlet (the size is about Johor Premium Outlet), I managed to get a good bargain for my MK. It's cheaper than US. Unfortunately, only one left or else I would buy few for sale! I aimed to sell Clark's shoes as well but the price is not that good. So end up I just bought for myself and Kimi (Birthday present I guess) He insisted to buy the "shoe with light" rather than buying "On Sale" item. Hmmm..Other than that, few Cath Kidston stuff on sale (reasonable price) and the rest is not affordable for "kuli cabuk" like me..The outlet also provide counter for tourists to settle the VAT stuff and proper praying area. Spotted quite numbers of Malaysian shopaholics here!

Pictures from the net to give better view of Bicester Village

It's a tiring day and back to Uncle Rasol's house,a big luggage full of fig's bare root ready to check in! We also need to do the packing as we only got 1 and half day left.