On_Other_Trip_Stuff
Hugh & Arliss Hoskins
11 June -1 July 2003
Flights to/from London Heathrow LHR.
Dest: Trafalgar BBRTA-115: BusTour:England,Scot,Wales= "19-day":
2-in-air+17-sleep-nites
Wed to Tues 11June-1July2003 21-days, 20-nites: 1-in air, 17-on tour, 2-extra
In London: Before and After the tour [it's near MarbleArch]
(Jurys)(Doyle)"Clifton Ford" Hotel, 47 Welbeck St., London W1M 8DN England
Tel: +44-207 486 6600 Fax: +44-207 486 7492
Tel: (+44 20) 7486 6600 Fax: (+44 20) 7486 7492
http://www.jurys.com/fruk_index.htm ->
http://www.jurys.com/uk/doyle_clifton_ford.htm
http://www.londonhotelsandguide.com/jurys-clifton-ford-hotel.html
*Wed 11June United #904 767-300 LAX@11:05-JFK@19:39; JFK-JFK JFK@2120-LHR@09:35
timing- 8:34-3:00=5:34 1:41 09:35+24:00-21:20-5:00=7:15
09:35+24:00-11:05-8:00=14:30; 5:34+7:15=12:49air +1:41wait= 14:30TTL
On Arrival at Term#3, seek-out the Trafalgar/Hotel-Link counter.
*Tue 1July United #935 777 LHR@10:55-LAX@14:15 seats=22F&G
timing- 14:15-10:55+8:00=11:20air=TTL. DIFF: 1:29air 3:10TTL
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
11 12 13[14 [bus]
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28]
29 30 1 (hd-highlightdinner)
1 Wed 11 Lv LAX for LHR
2 Thu 12 LONDON
3 Fri 13 LONDON(cb)
4 Sat 14 London(cb)-Statford-Coventry(d)
5 Sun 15 Conventy(fb)-Harrogate(hd-pub)
6 Mon 16 Harrogate(fb)-EDINBURGH
7 Tue 17 (fb) EDINBURGH
8 Wed 18 Edinburgh(fb)-Highlands/Invernesshire(d)
9 Thu 19 Highlands(fb)-Isle-of-Skye(d)
LochNess
10 Fri 20 Skye(fb)-Glasgow
11 Sat 21 Glasgow(fb)-MANCHESTER(d)
12 Sun 22 (fb) MANCHESTER(d)
13 Mon 23 Manchester(fb) - LlandrindodWells(d)
14 Tue 24 Lland?Wells(fb)- Bristol(hd)
15 Wed 25 Bristol(fb)-EXETER
16 Thu 26 (fb) EXETER(d)
St.Ives,Penzance,(LandsEnd-maybe)
17 Fri 27 Exeter(fb)-Portsmouth(d)
18 Sat 28 Portsmouth(fb)-LONDON
19 Sun 29 LONDON(cb)
Mon 30 LONDON
Tue 01 LondonLHR - LAX-
HOME SWEET HOME HOME SWEET HOME HOME SWEET HOME
on us: 3 bkfsts + 21 lunches + 9 dinners
[the following from the Trafalgar WebSite ... ]
Tour Code: BBRTA/115
Touring: London, Oxford, Stratford, Coventry, York, Edinburgh, Scottish
Highlands, Isle of Skye, Glasgow, Lake District, North & South Wales, Chester,
Bathe, Exeter, Cornwall, Isle of Wight, Stonehenge
Day 1
Depart USA - Overnight flight to London.
Day 2
Arrive London (2nights) After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the rest of
the day is at leisure.
Day 3
London sightseeing and at leisure - Many major sights are included on our
morning sightseeing tour. (Continental breakfast)
Day 4
London - Stratford - Coventry - Greetings from our Tour Director as we travel to
Oxford. Here we visit one of the famous Colleges (or the Sheldonian theatre when
the Colleges are closed) before reaching Bladon to view Sir Winston Churchill's
grave in the little churchyard. Then on through the Cotswolds to
Stratford-upon-Avon, to visit Shakespeare's birthplace and drive past Anne
Hathaway's cottage. Later, on to Coventry, home of Lady Godiva, to see its two
Cathedrals before heading to our hotel. Tonight, we enjoy dinner and a welcome
drink with our Tour Director. (Continental breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 5
Coventry - Harrogate - A morning drive brings us to The Potteries to visit the
Wedgwood Pottery Centre. Then we continue towards Brontė countryside and the
historic city of York. Here an orientation tour takes us to view the gothic
Minster and for a walk through the picturesque 'Shambles'. There is free time
perhaps to shop before we go on to enjoy typical Yorkshire hospitality at a
dinner in a local pub. After we head to our hotel in the elegant Harrogate.
(Full English breakfast/ Pub Restaurant Dinner)
Day 6
Harrogate - Edinburgh (2nights) This morning our journey takes us through the
Yorkshire countryside to Hadrian's Wall and then Northumberland National Park to
the Scottish Border. Time to take pictures of ruined Jedburgh Abbey en route to
Scotland's attractive capital city, Edinburgh. During the Festival, we include
tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo. (Full English breakfast)
Day 7
Edinburgh sightseeing - Elegant Princes Street and the Royal Mile are featured
on our sightseeing tour, plus a visit to the castle. We'll view Holyrood House,
before free time to shop for tartans or sample delicious shortbread. Later,
there's a chance to see Highland dancers on an optional Scottish night out,
complete with haggis and bagpipes. (Full English breakfast)
Day 8
Edinburgh - Scottish Highlands - Across the Forth Bridge to the Fife Coast and
St. Andrews, University town and home of the famous golf course. Then over the
River Tay via Dundee and Perth to Pitlochry. Maybe visit the castle at Blair
Atholl before we arrive at our hotel deep in the Scottish Highlands. (Full
English breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 9
Scottish Highlands Isle of Skye - Through rugged scenery to Culloden Moor,
scene of the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Then along the banks of Loch Ness
and through Glen Shiel, past Eilean Donan Castle to the Kyle of Lochalsh where
we cross over the sea to Skye. Free time before dinner at our hotel. (Full
English breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 10
Isle of Skye - Glasgow - Enjoy more splendid scenery as we cross back to the
mainland. Next we drive past Fort William with glimpses of Ben Nevis, Britain's
highest mountain, en route southwards to the Vale of Glencoe. Then along the
bonnie banks of Loch Lomond en route to Glasgow. (Full English breakfast)
Day 11
Glasgow - Liverpool/Manchester (2nights) We drive through the Southern Uplands
to visit Moffat Woollens. Then we cross into England and the breathtaking Lake
District to visit Grasmere, home of the poet William Wordsworth. Finally, we
reach Manchester for our two-night stay. (Full English breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 12
North Wales Excursion - This morning we enjoy a drive to Anglesey and Caernarvon
where we visit the Castle. Then on through the scenic Snowdonia National Park,
stopping at Betws-y-Coed, with its 15th century Stone Bridge. Here there's time
for tea, before returning to Manchester. (Full English breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 13
Manchester - Llandrindod Wells - Our first stop is at Chester to admire the
Cathedral and city ramparts with time to explore the galleried 'Rows'. Then we
drive over the Horseshoe Pass to Llangollen, home of the International Music
Eisteddfod in Wales. Next into Shropshire to visit the market town of Ludlow, en
route to our hotel in Llandrindod Wells. (Full English breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 14
Llandrindod Wells - Bristol - Today's drive brings us to Caerphilly where we see
its spectacular castle. Then on to Cardiff with time to explore before
descending into the Wye Valley to view the 12th century Tintern Abbey. Next, we
cross the Severn Bridge arriving in Georgian Bath to visit the Roman Baths. We
continue to nearby Bristol where tonight we enjoy dinner in a characteristic
restaurant. (Full English breakfast/ Pub restaurant dinner)
Day 15
Bristol - Exeter (2nights) After a drive to admire the rugged beauty of Cheddar
Gorge, we reach Glastonbury the legendary burial site of King Arthur. On to
Dunster with its timbered houses and yarn market dominated by the great castle.
Later, we cross the wilds of Exmoor, Lorna Doone country, to the Cathedral city
of Exeter. (Full English breakfast)
Day 16
Cornish Excursion - A delightful day touring this beautiful area and rugged
coastline. We will visit the artists' colony of St. Ives and Penzance to view
St. Michael's Mount. There's time for lunch before we head back into Devon to
Plymouth and return past Dartmoor National Park to our Exeter hotel for dinner
and overnight stay. (Full English breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 17
Exeter - Isle of Wight - Portsmouth - This morning we head towards Portsmouth
where we enjoy a crossing by ferrry to tour the beautiful Isle of Wight. Here we
will visit Osborne House, home of Queen Victoria and her consort. Then on to
Portsmouth. (Full English breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 18
Portsmouth - Salisbury - Stonehenge - London - After breakfast we drive to
Salisbury, to view its magnificent Cathedral. Then, we cross Salisbury Plain
where we see the ancient monoliths of Stonehenge before continuing to London.
(Full English breakfast)
[ ... end of Trafalgar notes ]
Day 19 20 21
London - 19 Sun 29Jun Others fly home; we on our own
20 Mon 30Jun Still on our own
21 Tue 1Jul We fly home
Spent our 2 subsequent days as ...
Sun 29 June: Returned to Oxford for further look-see.
Caught the "Oxford Tube" bus from Marble-Arch - takes 1:30
Took the On/Off Oxford open-air double decker for several hours.
Considered going to Blenheim but didn't bother.
Mon 30 June: Went to the National Gallery www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
and the National Portrait Gallery; www.npg.org.uk
Rained a bit in the morning; stayed ALL day.
Had lunch in the "Crypt" of St.Martins in the Fields;
http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/
it's the "IN" place to eat, but it was the worst meal of the entire trip.
Just before dinner Arliss noticed a missing earring and figured that she had
loosened it while removing her turtleneck in the Nat'lGallery, but it was near
closing time and we were to leave the next day. Our E-Mail to them after our return
brought the response that they were merely waiting for an address to mail it along.
Important things we learned:
. LOOK RIGHT FIRST - usually
. Mind the GAP; Mind the Step.
. NEVER flush while still seated.
. Hot-and-Cold at the same time: like sweet-n-sour; even if there is only one spigot,
it may dispense hot/cold separately via a bifurcated/nostril-like division.
Only a few were full mixers like we expect.
Took 5 reels of video tape..
1: 11 June LAX - York
2: 16 June York - Glasgow
3: 20 June Glasgow - Bath
4: 24 June Bath - Stonehenge - London - Oxford(RE-visit)
5: 29 June Oxford - LAX (some good Utah-LasVegas-Baker-Barstow-LA sceens)
Took 66 Still pics on the Sony 320 video camera; see DSCS0001-22 and
DSCT0001-44.
Took 224 Still pics on the Nikon 2500 still camera; see DSCN0416-644 (there were
5 erasures)
It's often said that the US system of government is not perfect,
but it's as close to it as any civilization has yet come.
Similarly, our tour director, John McAlistar, was as close to excellent
as anyone is likely to encounter, and Trafalgar is likewise as a provider.
Wandered into a Computer World store in Edinburg just to chat.
There are virtually NO differences in computing between the USA and the UK
except for the power line voltage of 230 (and the connectors) and the standard
letter paper size called "A4"; NO one could tell me the dimensions of A4 or its
derivation.
From http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html have learned that A0 has an
area of
1-meter sq and has sides in ratio 1:sqrt(2), and that a1,a2,a3,a4, etc. are all
created
by dividing the prior's long dimension in 1/2 -- thus maintaining the ratio.
There is a town in Wales known by the VERY LONG NAME of
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
which means, variously --
"St. Mary's Church in the hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool
and the Church of St. Tysilio near the red cave."
"St. Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool
and the Church of St Tysilio of the red cave."
The name had been simply Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, but it was changed as a
publicity stunt;
the locals call it "Llanfair PG". See at ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/602246.stm
The Welch have a unique language which is primary to some and is on the return
in the
area as second to English; one of the locals in the info-booth offered the
following ...
Wales Cymru
Welch-man Cymro
Welch-lady Cymraes
Welch language Cymraeg
In Wales we saw a LOT of slate, some slate mine scrap piles, and come coal
mines.
As I recall, nothing was ever said about the 1966 collapse of a slag heap from a
coal mine which wiped-out the town of Aberfan, killing 28 adults and 116
children as it
covered a school and more; see at ...
http://www.walesatheart.com/About%20Wales/aberfan%20disaster.htm
Return-Path:
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2003 14:13:48 -0700
From: Arliss Hoskins
Day-2= Thurs 12 June 2003
Arrive Heathrow, met by Trafalgar guy, HOTELLINKS scenic drive all over London
on teesny bus full of short people; seat spacing REALLY tough on anyone over 6-
feet tall; dropped off about 5th out of 7 stops as our hotel. Room is NOT ready;
we are tired; room will NOT be ready for 2 hrs yet. We seek lunch, shop a bit,
and return; room is ready.
We are at The Clifton Ford. We're on the 4th floor street side, no noise; lower
flours had late nite street noise; nice dining room and buffet and lobby.
Location is near Oxford Street shopping, produce stand, local hurried bustle,
and lunch cafeterias at Debenhams, Selfridge Department Stores. Top floor of
Selfridges is a Vegas type quality buffet that is almost gone by dinner time.
Arliss likes Selfridge open space displays to Harrod's enclosed departments.
Harrod's lunch bars are larger dinner plates 11GBP and down the street one block
is the fried pub and a lil farther is the Patisserie Valerie Italiano that has
poached fish, veggies and potatoes lunch for 7.95GBP. Disney stores in large
towns and Mickey Mouse black adult t-shirt is 18GBP, and across Oxford St. at
the Bond Street Underground terminal is a No Smoking McD's; just outside is
free internet coming on a stand-alone pedestal. Internet is on the streets too
in some telephone booths.
Day 3= Fri 13 June
London bus tour: 8-12 (really 8:40-12). 10am Winchester sights. Westminster
Abbey exterior. Marble Arch known as Tyborne; was a gallow & largest execution
site for hanging, drawn & beheading. Parks were the hunting grounds and animals
brought in. Sir James was the creator of Peter Pan. 1700's Lady Cumberland
buried her dog in lil pet cemetery. HydePark borders on the gounds of
Kensington Palace & divorced Dianna lived there. Nottinhal Antiques, 5am for
best antiques; Queen Diana Cafe. In August the Nottingham Carnival is the
largest Afro Carribean New Orleans event. Kensington St, High Street where
Madonna lived. Sticky fingers. Rich people live Kensington. Sir George Wilbert
SCOTT and son created Phone Boxes. Mary Albott's Church 1850 and clean now.
Queen Victoria mourned 17 years for 42 year old Albert. Gregory PECK died
yesterday in California.
p2 still on T included bus tour. picture stop 10 min Albert' memorial/gold in
Kensington; angels on top; 1851 London Festival; during WW-1 painted black;
redone for 12 million GBP and took 7 years to complete. Benny Hill lived on
Queensgate. Knightsbridge Village famous for Harrods. Bridge over Knights and
today river is underground and lost and many rivers in tubes. Catholic Italian
archbishop came. Tony Blair the current Prime Pinister is Anglican and his wife
Sherry is Catholic and their kids go to Holy Trinity School. 1600's Hyde Park
was walled. Amelia MORGAN of Texas owns Lanesborough Hotel which is 3400GBP a
nite; includes a limo and exterior was white and nearby is Wellington Arch.
Passed the National Gallery and National Portrait Museum, free, in Trafalgar
square. Harrod's is owned by Mohammed Al Fayed: 19; restaurants; lunch buffet
was 35GBP and few people there, looks nice; lunch counters were 11GBP. Just one
block is the Grapes Bunchfried pub and a lil further is Patisserie Valerie -
Italian and poached salmon, multi veggies, potatoes 8.00GBP lunch.
Westminister Cathedral, fabulous, Roman Catholic. Park Lane and Mayfair
districts; pretigious owner living. Sultan of _____. GROVESNOR: Eisenhower met
Patton and behind Warren's lil America owned by Duke of Westminster and all
leased (50yr, 3 kids). Thirty five foot winged Eagle. PURDY's, the Queen's own
gunstore. Barclay Square and cars. Ritz Hotel - Onassis. James Palace where
Harry and James live on occasion. The 1819 Burlington Arcade shops. 1790's
Piccadilly Circus - theatre central. LEICESTER SQUARE (pron. Lester Square)
offers 1/2 price theatre for same day. Good Chinese restaurants in SoHo and
other ethnicities also. 5K pubs in London. Lillywhite for sport shirts. Eros,
the Greek god of Love; philanthropist Lord Shafspree took care of abandoned
kids. Center of London is Trafalgar square; it is a real bustling hub. "Texas
Embassy" restaurant for Tex Mex. Titanic left from Southhampton in 1914.
Buffet/cafeteria in the basement of St Martins in the Fields at the Crypt.
Nelson's Column has giant Lions at the base; fountain and in front of the
National Gallery and Portrait Gallery is around the block. City of London a
financial city. St Paul's Cathedral, Street of Whitehall. Downing Street is now
gated with guards whereas in 1973 when we were first there it was not gated and
you could actually go inside of the main gate at Buckingham Palace to sign the
guest book at the inner guard station. Nearby is the Methodist Center. Coffee
and restrooms.
Afternoon on our own did the Victoria & Albert Museum and the the Natural
History Museum.In the outside courtyard of the latter was a large Photo Display
of scenes from all over the world; very impressive; they sold copies to support
their efforts to maintain the environment. Took the subway to Bond St 3.20GBP.
Passed the "Lam & Flag Pub" full of people at dinner at Selfridges buffet on
5th floor at 7:30pm. Nite before Angus Steak $40 included 10% gratuity plus 90p
person.
????
Day 4= Saturday 14 June
The offical Trafalgar bus arrives and we meet our tour director, John
MacAlistar, a nice Scottish gentleman.
Since the bus was to leave early at 7:00AM, we are all given a Box Breakfast by
the Clifton Ford; it's okay, but the director, driver, and bell-staff take
forever to get the bags identified, marked, and loaded. 7:40am bus rolls to
pick up another couple. Sloan Squaare = Lone Ranger. Mohammed Al Fayed wants
British citizenship so it's no accident that his Harrod's has glass display
windows on exterior of royal stuff. 8:20am HOGARTH's house. Motorway is Blue
Signs. 70mph.
First Nite at HILTON COVENTRY which was a change; did anyone notice?
It costs 1000GBP per year to study at Oxford and you need to be excel in your
interview; housing is expensive and most students have no car; only a bike.
Bayles College in Oxford built 14c. During this time period; you either built a
home or a cathedral. Sheldonian college. 169 Rhodes Scholars. Lil bridge is
Venetian and bridge to Hereford College. Botelyn Library is monstrous and has
every book and hiding beneath the town. Oxford war between students and the
local towns-people (the "towneys") and gate was manned 17c by towneys. Round
building. Golden Cross has a couch in and sleep and all perform Shakespearse;
throw coins in the box which is where we get box office from. Three Martyrs of
the Reformation Statue and the religions went back and forth and basis for
"Three Blind Mice" See how they run, they all run after the farmers wife, she
cut off their tail with a carving knife, did you ever see such a site in your
life? As three blind mice!
9:15am OXFORD off bus; be back 10:30.
Blaydon, burial grounds & church of Sir Winston Churchill family off the
street, quaint and he was born in BLENHEIM Palace down the road a piece;
admission 10GBP. Original Woodstock made Gloves. COTSWOLDS sheep made England
wealthy in the 1700's and the landowners were so rich they built cottages for
the workers. ABCD Preservation laws in Cotswald and most are A & B. England had
smuggling problem with curly wool sheep. Oak trees. Green Fields. Stratford
surname of TEWS!!!! Punch Bowl= liberal pub politically; Shepherd Lamb & Cross:
monastic order and brewed their own ale; Stag = royal. Tap: Free means he owns
the pub and tied means only allowed certain brands. COTSWOLD have big churches
to keep up with the Jones and get a bigger reward in Heaven!!!!!! Thatch roofs
grown and cut by hand and four poster beds catch the bugs dropping from the
roof. White and Black homes are magpie homes for locals; Victorian Guildhome
on top. Cedar of Lebanon.
Sat 11:30am Noon at Anne Hathaway's cottage; she was older than Shakespeare and
they had Susannah and then twins and one died. Wm. Shakespeare left his famiy to
go to London and act and write plays. 1200 bridge by Clopton with toll
building. MacBeth from Scotland. Annes's father had income. Shakespeare went
back to her to die and was wealthy; died 1650. Lunch in Stratford on Avon which
has big and open area shops and Saturday crowds. Group Photo done here. Walked
by Steak and Potatoes 10.50GBP : had lst McD's; 2:15 on coach Fifteen minutes
later at Warwick Castle is England's great medieval castle.2:40 in Castle- Lady
Sandra 4:15 Stratford slayings. Thousand year old castle and the best for the
time perior. Sir Grave, a bachelor, designed castle. Watergate tower. Castle
original built in 960AD; fire 1872 and facing stone was put over top that was
machine cut and medieval stone underneath. Maximillan armour made in Germany.
Italian armour looks different. Porridge pot of bet metal would be in court
yard and scoop of was POT LUCK as you may get a few spiders for protein. 1872
was a punch bowl. The Earl of Warmyck was named GUY, a saxon, son of ______,
interested Felic and did deeds. Guy lived at Guys. Dung Cow scared off.
Originally Solars + sitting rooms. Would change candles in order to complete
the 27 course meals. 18c Waterford Crystal chandelier. Merry Charles 2nd
legitimate mistress line: Camella Parlker Bowles and Lady Diana. 17c Japeanese
amori bowls in food stands. Queen Anne never came to Warwick and had gout and
is buried in a 5 x 5 coffin; lots of miscarriages due to blood irregularity.
Ammonia comes from Urine. Fuller worked in urine house.
Day 5= Sunday 15 June
6:45wake, 7:30 luggage-out and breakfast, 8:30am on the bus. Sunday leaving the
Coventry Hilton with the rabbits on the grounds, great buffet dinner on raised
floor last nite and breakfast this AM. Long hall to room, tissue flew in
commode, had a 5x magnifier mirror.