Can't quite believe that it is now Thursday, 7 May! We have had an incredibly wonderful "jaunt" through England and Wales: 3 days in Winchester, where we visited the Norman Cathedral, the Great Hall (with the Round Table of King Arthur), and Chawton for Jane Austen's house; 2 days in Bath for more Austen and for the Roman baths and Gothic Bath Abbey; and Chepstow, Wales for Tintern Abbey, an ancient ruined castle, and lush Welsh countryside. Jen, Deena's friend from London, joined us there. We had a wonderful time together -- many laughs as we taught Jen the BS card game.
Now we are in York. Once a Celtic settlement that became in succession Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and finally Norman. The York Minster is larger than I remembered it -- and even more beautiful. Yesterday we went to Haworth, home of the Brontes. It was cloudy with spots of rain; looking over the moors, I could just imagine Heathcliff and Cathy walking the heather!
The highlight so far, though, has been reuniting with the family I lived with when I spent a summer here. Abbey played detective and found Malcom and Margaret's phone number. We have corresponded regularly but haven't spoken or seen each other for 37 years. They are all well, and I saw Sarah, their daughter who was 2 when I was here last, with her daughter, Tilly, who (as she put it) "used to be 3 but am now 4" in her lovely Yorkshire accent. She and Emma became buddies. After a visit at the home (I even remembered "my" bedroom), we had dinner at the local pub.
Today, Malcolm and Margaret are taking us to Scarborough -- one of my favorite places to go when I was here. There's now an aquarium there which Emma wants to visit, plus we'll see the castle. Late this afternoon, we will head to Stratford-upon-Avon to join Deena who is leaving for there this morning. Jen will be there with her 18-month old daughter, Zoe. No doubt another evening of laughter and fun.
I can't help but think how blessed we are with friends -- new and "old."
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
From London to Frankfurt
Saturday, though continuing to be cold, was sunny with no wind. Tim and I explored a very different part of London -- Notting Hill, just on the other side of Kensington Gardens, just up Queen's Gate and our flat. The market on Portobello Road is like no other: antiques, junk, vegetables, pastries, mulled wine, teas, souvenirs, books, clothes of all sorts. And people. People from everywhere. We indulged in a cream-filled donut-type pastry that was coated with real chocolate (I don't want to even think about calories/mouthful!). On Notting Hill Gate Road, we stumbled across a hair salon and each had a much needed hair trim.
We sent Abbey and Katie to the market. After visiting the big cultural marvels, they needed to see this part of London as well. They returned hours later with good market buys, having had a great time, and then proceeded to get ready for an evening out at a dance club nearby. After enjoying an exciting soccer game between Southampton and Manchester United, Emma, Tim, and I returned to the local pub for a warming meal of chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, steak, and I forget what all else. That night, we again splurged on British tv, catching some excellent mysteries.
Sunday was the coldest day yet. Emma, Tim, and I went back to the Museum of Natural History for a wonderful exhibit on dinosaurs and another one on sea life. He and Emma then did the Science Museum, also near the flat. I took Katie and Abbey to Windsor to see the quaint town and huge castle which is the Queen's favorite. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to tour the castle inside but were able to get some wonderful pictures outside. Many lovely shops, including one with Scottish wool products, tempted us, and yes, we succumbed.
Monday morning came too soon. We hauled our baggage to Gloucester Underground station, a few blocks away, to catch the tube for Heathrow. (We had decided to fly to Frankfurt to save time and money). Getting off for Heathrow Terminal 2, we said good bye to Katie who would go on to Terminal 5 for her British Air flight back to the States. Lufthansa had easy check in and kindly turned an eye away from our overweight bags. Our 11:45 flight was delayed about 3 hours because of heavy snow in Frankfurt, so we ended up arriving around 5:00 pm, a little after the time that the train would have come!!! So much for saving time -- though we did save money! A taxi brought us quickly to the Heissischer Hof where the UD Winter Session students are booked. A 5-star hotel with impeccable, warm service and gigantic rooms, this hotel is incredible, and we are thankful to be here at the greatly reduced rate UD arranged for the study abroad program (otherwise, we wouldn't be here!!!!).
The students arrived this morning; Tim and the other professor are with them on a brief tour of the city. The girls and I are going to explore a bit on our own and then indulge in some pampering at the spa here. It's very cold here (as in all of Europe) with about a foot of snow on the ground. After some walking to the Romer Cathedral and the restored timber-framed houses of Romerberg (destroyed during WWII), we will probably welcome the spa's sauna!
We sent Abbey and Katie to the market. After visiting the big cultural marvels, they needed to see this part of London as well. They returned hours later with good market buys, having had a great time, and then proceeded to get ready for an evening out at a dance club nearby. After enjoying an exciting soccer game between Southampton and Manchester United, Emma, Tim, and I returned to the local pub for a warming meal of chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, steak, and I forget what all else. That night, we again splurged on British tv, catching some excellent mysteries.
Sunday was the coldest day yet. Emma, Tim, and I went back to the Museum of Natural History for a wonderful exhibit on dinosaurs and another one on sea life. He and Emma then did the Science Museum, also near the flat. I took Katie and Abbey to Windsor to see the quaint town and huge castle which is the Queen's favorite. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to tour the castle inside but were able to get some wonderful pictures outside. Many lovely shops, including one with Scottish wool products, tempted us, and yes, we succumbed.
Monday morning came too soon. We hauled our baggage to Gloucester Underground station, a few blocks away, to catch the tube for Heathrow. (We had decided to fly to Frankfurt to save time and money). Getting off for Heathrow Terminal 2, we said good bye to Katie who would go on to Terminal 5 for her British Air flight back to the States. Lufthansa had easy check in and kindly turned an eye away from our overweight bags. Our 11:45 flight was delayed about 3 hours because of heavy snow in Frankfurt, so we ended up arriving around 5:00 pm, a little after the time that the train would have come!!! So much for saving time -- though we did save money! A taxi brought us quickly to the Heissischer Hof where the UD Winter Session students are booked. A 5-star hotel with impeccable, warm service and gigantic rooms, this hotel is incredible, and we are thankful to be here at the greatly reduced rate UD arranged for the study abroad program (otherwise, we wouldn't be here!!!!).
The students arrived this morning; Tim and the other professor are with them on a brief tour of the city. The girls and I are going to explore a bit on our own and then indulge in some pampering at the spa here. It's very cold here (as in all of Europe) with about a foot of snow on the ground. After some walking to the Romer Cathedral and the restored timber-framed houses of Romerberg (destroyed during WWII), we will probably welcome the spa's sauna!
Friday, January 2, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S from LONDON
We rang in the New Year with fireworks over the Thames and a celebratory parade the next day. London is wonderful -- but soooo cold.
We met Katie at St. Pancras station and easily found our lovely Queen's Gate flat, so thankful that it's a first floor flat after 4th floor apartments in Siena and Paris and the 4-level in Cortona! (No complaints, save for knee aches, as all places have been fantastic!). After settling in and refusing to let jet-lagged Katie sleep, we enjoyed some fish and chips at a local pub.
On Tuesday, we finally got everyone rolling by late morning and walked to the Natural History Museum on Cromwell Road, a few blocks from our flat. Emma enjoyed all the rooms, especially the gemstones. The Star of South Africa, and 57 carat diamond, was awesome. Earthquake simulation room reminded us of why we don't want to live in California, and the volcano exhibit reinforced much of what we had learned from our visit to Pompeii. We didn't get to the sea area of the museum so will have to go back tomorrow. Most of the museums are free in London, so return trips are do-able. Abbey was determined to visit Harrod's -- as were London's 6 million inhabitants! I will never complain about King of Prussia crowds again!!! Whew! We had a wonderful dinner that night in a small restaurant on Bromley Road.
New Year's Eve day, we did the Hop on-Hop off bus tour with tickets good for 48 hours. Headed straight to the British Museum, rivaled only by the Louvre for size and collections. Incredible ancient world artifacts. Tim and Emma then did Ripley's Believe It or Not, while Abbey, Katie, and I shopped along Oxford Street. Window-shopped to be truthful!! Wonderful New Year's Eve celebration; we watched Elton John on the "telly" and the fireworks too. Abbey and Katie took advantage of the free tube to head toward Westminster for close-up views.
New Year's Day seemed appropriate for Westminster Abbey. Very informative and entertaining audio tour. Saw the Poets Corner!!!! Had some pub fare at Sherlock Holmes Pub after walking to the London Eye but declining to wait in the very long line. Emma was thrilled -- she hailed the taxi to take us back.
Today was the Tower of London after the bus tour of central London. The Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) who was our guide infused British humor with history. His delivery made me think he could also be a stand-up comedian. Late lunch at a pub in the City (old city of London); Abbey and Katie did the Globe and St. Paul's.
We met Katie at St. Pancras station and easily found our lovely Queen's Gate flat, so thankful that it's a first floor flat after 4th floor apartments in Siena and Paris and the 4-level in Cortona! (No complaints, save for knee aches, as all places have been fantastic!). After settling in and refusing to let jet-lagged Katie sleep, we enjoyed some fish and chips at a local pub.
On Tuesday, we finally got everyone rolling by late morning and walked to the Natural History Museum on Cromwell Road, a few blocks from our flat. Emma enjoyed all the rooms, especially the gemstones. The Star of South Africa, and 57 carat diamond, was awesome. Earthquake simulation room reminded us of why we don't want to live in California, and the volcano exhibit reinforced much of what we had learned from our visit to Pompeii. We didn't get to the sea area of the museum so will have to go back tomorrow. Most of the museums are free in London, so return trips are do-able. Abbey was determined to visit Harrod's -- as were London's 6 million inhabitants! I will never complain about King of Prussia crowds again!!! Whew! We had a wonderful dinner that night in a small restaurant on Bromley Road.
New Year's Eve day, we did the Hop on-Hop off bus tour with tickets good for 48 hours. Headed straight to the British Museum, rivaled only by the Louvre for size and collections. Incredible ancient world artifacts. Tim and Emma then did Ripley's Believe It or Not, while Abbey, Katie, and I shopped along Oxford Street. Window-shopped to be truthful!! Wonderful New Year's Eve celebration; we watched Elton John on the "telly" and the fireworks too. Abbey and Katie took advantage of the free tube to head toward Westminster for close-up views.
New Year's Day seemed appropriate for Westminster Abbey. Very informative and entertaining audio tour. Saw the Poets Corner!!!! Had some pub fare at Sherlock Holmes Pub after walking to the London Eye but declining to wait in the very long line. Emma was thrilled -- she hailed the taxi to take us back.
Today was the Tower of London after the bus tour of central London. The Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) who was our guide infused British humor with history. His delivery made me think he could also be a stand-up comedian. Late lunch at a pub in the City (old city of London); Abbey and Katie did the Globe and St. Paul's.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)