My United Kingdom Come - A Journal, Part I

My goodness. Everyone who knows me wants a full accounting of our recent trip to the U.K. Well, maybe not everyone. Maybe only a few, but still I might as well tell the tale for all to see.

Diana and I had planned this trip for some time and when we reached the Madison airport and found our flights were not cancelled or otherwise delayed, we knew that we were in for a treat. The short hop in a regional jet to O'Hare in Chicago was uneventful, so we looked for more adventure on our overseas flight.

The plane, a 767, was much bigger although leg room was set for the last group of vacationing pygmies. Knowing that, I had upgraded to "Economy Plus" and got about 4-5 more inches of leg room. Being 6'4" tall, this was a blessing for a 7+ hour flight to London Heathrow.

On arrival and after numerous passport checks, I was to look for the Trafalgar reps who would whisk us to our hotel in Chelsea. After wandering and reading the placards held up by many other souls who had no idea who they were looking for, I stumbled on to two lovely ladies with clipboards. Luckily they were looking for us as well, and got us planted near the shuttle office to await our coach.

After the half-hour wait and the almost hour drive, we pulled up to the Copthorne Millennium Hotel at Chelsea Football Club. Long name, but would turn out to be consequential. We checked in and then not knowing anyone or anything I searched for the Trafalgar rep (another one) with no luck. The helpful concierge noted in his big notebook that the T-rep would be in the hotel tomorrow from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. How helpful. By 2: 00 pm tomorrow we should be in Plymouth, England looking at ruins or ships or pubs or something.

We settled in to our room and later found that the rep was indeed there and I was called to meet her in the bar. She apologized for the hotel not knowing where she was, and then gave me our needed times for the next day. Up at 6:00 am, luggage in the hall, by 6:15 am, breakfast by 7:00 am, and then meet our Tour Director (TD) and coach at 8 am. This was to be the schedule, give or take 15 minutes, for the rest of the trip. Very well organized but also very early.

By 8:00 am and group of people were milling outside, chatting as couples, and not mixing well with others. I astutely surmised that these were our fellow travellers, our coach mates, our quixotic partners in the Kingdom's lore. We all smiled at each other, no one wanting to be the first to speak, until we saw our TD walking toward us. He calls out, "Jansen's, where are the Jansen's?" I immediately freeze wondering what calamity could already have visited us.

"Your luggage has holes" said the strange and stern man who would be Phillip Rodney Anthony Horne, the Tour Director and our host, companion, and even friend for the next 11 days.

Diana looks worried until I say, "Holes, you mean the little pokes in the sides?"

"Yes, you have holes and I check this luggage carefully and don't want to be blamed for holes" said Philip.

"Those were there from many prior trips so you don't have to worry", I said trying not to appear embarrassed in front of 15 others in the group who no doubt had new designer luggage. "It's tough stuff", I offered further.

Philip smiled, harrumphed, and moved on to others.

After boarding our quite nice Trafalgar coach, we settled in when we found our that our group was only 19 (a pair if New Zealanders to be picked up at Park Lane). We could each have our own double seat and although no one claimed another seat at first, as the trip progress fewer couples troubled to sit together.

We roared into traffic in Chelsea heading westerly to begin our exciting journey across England, Wales, and Scotland. The day was sunny, our partners seemed jovial, and our TD lost a little of his gruffness within about 10 miles. It was a facade, of course. Start tough and ease up later.

Except when it comes to being on time. Philip's rules were short and succinct. "When we arrive at a stop, I will give you a time to be back on the bus. That is not a suggestion, it is the time to be back on the bus. This is not your personal tour, this is a group tour. If you think you are special and need a few more minutes than anyone else, we will wave at you as we go by. You can then arrange your own private tour. It is rude to be late and to waste the time of your fellow travelers, so I won't. I have had a few complaints from those I have left behind, but as you can see I am still working here."

None of us moved as we waited to hear if there were more rules, like not laughing, or not taking pictures, or maybe even not talking. Luckily for us, the rules were not that draconian; in fact most of us agreed with the time limits as we all had stories to tell about other "entitled" people who would arrive 10 or more minutes late with a giggle and a muttered excuse. For the next 11 days, not one person was late for anything. In fact, the rest of us would "tsk-tsk" at the last person back on the bus even when there was five minutes until the Phil Deadline.

Onward toward Plymouth, and the subject of the next post. Come back again to read about Stonehenge, Salisbury, the Mayflower folks, the British naval base, and the awful pub food we had to endure in Cornwall.

Ta ta for now (TTFN).

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".

We'll Wave to the Queen

I had ambitions to write enough blogs to keep up while we are gone on our "holiday" to Great Britain. Alas, "the best laid plans of mice and men, often go astray" and with a large editing job due, and with lots to read about Great Britain, and on and on, I just did not get the articles written ahead. So I will apologize, loyal readers, and I will promise to do better when I return from England, Scotland, and Wales.

I am sure I will keep up with the U.S. goings-on in the London Times and will have lots to say on my return. And unlike many others from our beloved country, we promise to behave in such a way to help enhance America's reputation abroad. I will not wear shorts, nor my Hawaiian shirts, and Diana will not ask a Scottish Highlander what he wears under his kilt.

We will promote America as the great place it has always been despite what those people say. We will at least try to eat some of the local specialties (spesh-e-al-ities as the Brits say adding a syllable that is not there), however, I won't ask what really goes into Scotland's haggis.

I will revel in the English history, the precursor of our own, and be awestruck by such edifaces as Westminster Abbey and Salisbury Cathedral, built 800 - 1000 years ago. We may also visit Scotland Yard, see Agatha Christie's "The Mouse Trap". and follow in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper. And if I see the Queen, I will do my best version of the Windsor wave and bow in great respect. Tally ho...

Great Britain, Here We Come!

Diana and I are starting to get excited about our upcoming May 2008 trip to England, Scotland, and Wales. We decided on an escorted tour, the Best of Britain by Trafalgar with a couple of days added in London at the end. I was last in London about 35 years ago (tut tut), so I am sure some things have changed as well as remained the same. I, particularly, love English history as it is the very basis of our own American history.

I know about most of the traditional historical sites, however, I don't want to miss anything worth seeing in London or nearby. What is the London Eye? Is there a not-to-miss pub in Chelsea where we are staying? Any helpful hints besides bring LOTS of money?

My wife has never been to England so I have tortured her (not really) with reading a hefty tome to give her a "flavor" of old England. The Autobiography of Henry VIII, by Margaret George is a historical novel that paints the English tableau very well. I enjoyed it much more, I am sure, but even Diana found it charming except for its length. And now I want her to read Mary, Queen of Scotland and the Isles, also by Margaret George but I may be pushing my luck.

So readers, comment away with tips, warnings, and anecdotes for all to savor.