------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CLASSIC ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND
July 26 - August 4, 2019
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July 26 - August 4, 2019
CLASSIC ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND BY GATE 1
FLAG OF ENGLAND
JFK*LONDON
At JFK waiting for my flight to London. Just had Shackburger and vanilla shake. Arrived at Heathrow before 11 am Saturday, collected my luggage then took the Underground to Hyde Park Corner, changed to the 74 double-decker bus and got off at Marble Arch. Clerk at the Underground booth suggested I buy return tickets to save. £15 for rt including the refundable-£5 card. Hotel room was not yet ready so I went to check the ‘hood. Took pictures of Marble Arch and Hyde Park.
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July 28
LONDON CITY TOUR*HYDE PARK
City tour of London's West End. Began with a drive through fashionable Kensington with its elegant squares and parks. Stopped to take a pictures of the Prince Albert Memorial, the Royal Albert Hall and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Passed Harrods and Hyde Park Corner and Piccadilly Circus.
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Our next stop was at Buckingham Palace, also passed by Clarence House - Prince Charles' London residence.
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Back on the bus we passed by Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, and the Horse Guards Building before we stopped near Westminster Abbey,
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On our own after the city tour, we went for a closer look of the London sites. At Covent Garden we went to St Paul's Church (designed by famous English architect Inigo Jones in 1631). the Apple Market, and the Opera House.
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At the Opera House there was a children's interactive exhibit and a display of costumes including Margot Fonteyn"s ballet outfits.
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Sunday Brunch at Buns and Buns in Covent Garden: lobster brioche roll with Japanese dressing, chives and french fries; and Bellini (Prosecco and white peach purée). Delicious!
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Next we walked towards Trafalgar Square and we passed by the National Portrait Gallery, St Martin-in-the-Fields, and the National Gallery.
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We next saw the Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, The London Eye and the Parliament and Big Ben (under renovation).
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Next we went through St James's Park, then Piccadilly Circus, then took a London cab back to the hotel.
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After a brief rest at the hotel, we walked all over Hyde Park to Speakers Corner, Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park Corner, and back to Marble Arch. Even had 3 scoops of ice cream in the park!
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July 29
STONEHENGE*BATH*
First stop today was at Stonehenge in the Salisbury Plains, a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, consisting of a ring of stones the archaeologists believe was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. It is included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986. Last time I was here was in the 80s and one could even touch the stones.
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We next went to Bath, the largest city in the county of Somerset, known for its Roman-built baths. It is in the valley of the River Avon and the city became a World Heritage site in 1987. Checked out the the Royal Crescent, a row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent, then the Roman Bath, which is right next to the Bath Cathedral, before we checked in at the beautiful Georgian style Macdonald Spa Hotel.
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Went back to town for a marvelous dinner at The Pump Room. I started with a glass of Kir Royal and Wiltshire ham hock terrine with pickled heritage carrots. My excellent main course was pressed lamb shoulder with sugar snaps and minted new potatoes. Instead of dessert I instead had an after dinner drink, Grand Marnier.
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July 30
THE COTSWOLDS*STRATFORD-UPON-AVON*LIVERPOOL
This morning we left Bath for the Cotswolds, famous for its thatched roof houses, including the Anne Hathaway (Shakespeare’s wife) house. First stop was Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace. Saw the house where he was born, the church where his headless body rests, also the Anne Hathaway house, the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre.
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Next stop is Liverpool. With a local guide we took the Beatles tour and saw places mentioned in the songs Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. Then he took us on a city tour and ultimately to the Cavern Club where the Beatles got their start.
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July 31
LAKE WINDERMERE*CONISTON*GRASMERE*MOFFAT*EDINBURGH
First stop this morning was to view Lake Windermere in the Lake District. Then on to a private home in Coniston for some homemade scones with jelly and clotted cream and proper tea. The home is one of many farms that Beatrix Potter left to help poor farmers in the area. Queen Elizabeth visited this particular house once. Then on to Grasmere where we stopped to see William Wordsworth’s grave in the Grasmere Parish Church. Next stop was at Moffat where I bought a bottle of Laphroaig and a tin of shortcake.
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Drove to Edinburgh where we stayed at the very modern boutique hotel Radisson Royal Mile and after a shot of vodka I went out to see the area around the hotel.
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Dinner at Maison Bleue Started with Pernod, Shetland mussels à la Bretonne, Ox cheeks à la Bordelaise, and creme brulèe. Had a glass of Malbec with main course.
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August 1
EDINBURGH: CITY TOUR, NATIONAL MUSEUM, EDINBURGH CASTLE
Edinburgh City Tour After a nice breakfast of Eggs Benedict with salmon and a couple cups of cappuccino at the hotel, we did a city tour of the old and the new towns then to the National Museum of Scotland and ended at Edinburgh Castle.
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The highlight of the day is the visit to the Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of Edinburgh from its position on the Castle Rock. Important buildings here are St Margaret's Chapel from the early 12th century, regarded as the oldest building in Edinburgh; the Royal Palace; and the early-16th-century Great Hall. The castle also houses the Scottish regalia, known as the Honours of Scotland.
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Lunch was at Howie’s near the hotel. I ordered their lobster special with a glass of champagne. Had a shot of Belvenie whisky after.
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Walked all over the city to see as many Oor Wullie sculptures. These sculptures will eventually be auctioned off to benefit charities.
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Dinner at The Jam House for a traditional Scottish entertainment and dinner including haggis, their national dish.
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August 2
ENGLAND-SCOTLAND BORDER*HADRIAN'S WALL*YORK*LEEDS
This morning we left Edinburgh and stopped first to view the Jedburgh Abbey. Then stopped at the border for a quick picture-taking. Next we stopped to see what remains of Hadrian’s wall. After that we toured York Minster and the quaint surrounding streets. Ended up in Leeds.
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Hadrian"s Wall
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York Minster
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Leeds: Dinner was at Double Tree Hotel’s The Lock Kitchen where I just had a burger with fries and a local IPA. After that we went up to the Sky Lounge for a view of the city and a drink.
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August 3
CAMBRIDGE*LONDON
Took a walking tour of Cambridge and saw Trinity, Kings, St John’s, Corpus Christi Colleges. Saw the Corpus Clock, a large sculptural clock conceived and funded by John C. Taylor, an old member of the college, which was officially unveiled to the public on 19 September 2008 by Cambridge physicist Stephen Hawking. Had fish and chips and DNA beer at The Eagle pub.
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London: Checked in at The Tower Hotel which is right next to the Tower Bridge along the Thames. Walked across the bridge and visited the periphery of the Tower of London. We had our Farewell Dinner at the Brasserie Blanc.
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August 4
CAMBRIDGE*LONDON
Toodle-loo, London! Ta-ta, Queen Bess! Had a nice breakfast at the hotel then went for a little walk near the Tower Bridge along the Thames and saw the bike marathon before finishing my packing. Hung around the lobby to say goodbye to some of my co- travelers before I had a quick bite and a pint of ale on the quay. Took the underground back to Heathrow and got a £5 refund of my Oyster Underground card plus £2.30 leftover from the card. Bought a couple bottles (Grand Marnier and Drambuie) at the Duty Free shop.
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