Back in the USSA

Other than our luggage making it home an hour later than we did, the trip to the U.K. was a great one. I do not believe that much can surpass seeing Stonehenge closeup, or standing on the grave of Sir Isaac Newton in Westminster Abbey. Even those with only a wisp of an interest in human history would be moved by seeing magnificent architecture created almost 1000 years ago.

We were blessed in many ways on this, our first trip together to Europe. I had been to England decades ago and Diana had been to Austria, Germany and Italy with her Mom sometime in the 80s I think. We were fortunate to have a good group on our Trafalgar Best of Britain Tour, and then only 17 other souls in the 50 passenger coach. I am sure Trafalgar made no money on this one, but we sure had a good time with such an intimate group and a great Tour Director. We also had the best weather I have ever heard of for England, Wales, and Scotland. We had sun each day for 17 days and the rainy period was only minutes long and then only sprinkles on the coach windshield, oops, I mean windscreen. We carried our lucky umbrellas everyday so although a little heavy for talismen, they seemed to work.

The hotels were mostly OK but the food was nearly inedible at times. I had read that English food had improved but we must have missed the one place where it did. OK, I am a little harsh here but when our Aussie friend had to comment to the waiter one night, "Hey mate, you got a chainsaw for this meat?", it spoke to overall state of the cuisine. We had haggis in Scotland twice and liked it both times. Everyone should try it when there. Just don't ask what it is.

Seeing the Roman baths, Hadrian's Wall, and lots of other very old things was inspiring. A walk though the walled city of York was to be taken back to the 12th century except for the names on the shops (GAP, Gucci, and many others). I don't know if this is a compliment or not, but the city reminded me of what Disney might have done recreating York in Orlando.

More to come later, but we are now recovered from a little jet-lag, and also recovered from our trips in the London Tube where a disembodied voice constantly reminds us to "Mind the Gap".