Steenblik Overseas Vacation - Day 5: Gadfield Elm Chapel, Malvern, & Worcester

Tony, Nate, and Tim went to pick up the vans bright and early this morning.  After packing all up we took all our stuff downstairs and figured out how to get it all in the two vans.  One van carried four people (Derek, Don, Nate, and Amy) and extra luggage while the rest of us were in the other van.  Nate drove his van and Tony was the driver in the lead van.  

Our first stop was a couple hours away to go see the Gadfield Elm Chapel.  One of the members from Lloyd mission, Clive, met us there to show us around.  It was one of the first LDS chapels in England where the missionaries converted a whole congregation.  The building has been rebuilt since then, but the local stakes use it for firesides and other fun church activities.  It was really cool to visit. 

After we drove about 15 minutes away to Malvern to go on a hike up Malvern Hill. It was a beautiful area. We saw the hill that Brigham Young climbed to dedicate the area for missionary work.  It was a good little hike and totally worth it.  The views were so beautiful and you could see all the little farms and peoples land.

After we then went to that members house for a BBQ.  They had family that came into town, so they had a full house.  We stayed in their backyard and mostly talked to the extended family.  After eating we got back into the vans and made out way to the town of Worcester.  This was one of Lloyds areas and he had many memories there.

After we checked into our hotel, we walked around the small town.  We walked around a beautiful church and down around the river on a lovely path.  

We then decided we wanted to see where Worcestershire Sauce was made.  We found out it was only a little over a mile away, so we walked to the Lea & Perrins factory.  

On our way there some kids had their basketball come into the street, so Tony threw it back to them.  They asked if we were Americans, and we said yes.  Then they asked us for some "Twinnies"...I said do you mean "Twinkies"?  Yes, they had heard about those and wanted to try some.  I told them I'd mail some to them.  Silly kiddos.

The factory was very cool to see.  It was closed, but it was cool to see where Worcestershire Sauce got it's start.  Lloyd said 50 years ago you could smell the sauce being made all around the town.  I am not sure how much that place is still used, but it seemed like it was still being used to make product. 

We then walked back to our hotel where we decided to eat at the hotel restaurant.  This was facing a really large Cricket court.  There wasn't a game going on at the time, but it was neat to see the field and the arena.

We then all ate in the restaurant.  The food was interesting.  Margie and I shared an appetizer platter.  I asked if they had ranch dressing and the waitress said no, but she had heard of it from TikTok.  So that was funny.  After dinner we all went up to our rooms and went to bed for the night.  It was a good day exploring Northern England.