Category: Adventure 2017 UK

Got up early to finish packing up for Ireland…..Did I really bring this much stuff?????…I checkout went to bus station…typically run every 10 minutes….25 minutes later it comes…..catch the overground…missed it by seconds had to wait 30 minutes for next one….land in Victoria..gatwick express….30 minutes delay….ARE YOU SERIOUS????????GW took over 35 minutes to get there….what should have taken 30 to an hour to get to airport took over 2 1/2 íhours….I get to airport, of course my flight desk on other side…..geez…..got to desk and gate is closed….lovely!!!!. Since it was economy flight I booked another ticket for 2:30 hours later….hung out in airport til time to leave..got on flight and actually I was in a premium sea; however there was a 2 year old having a meltdown in other aisle…she refused to buckle sit in seat or anything….I had taken allergy meds night before and I think they were still active because I kept dozing off. That is a rarity for me. But I actually fell asleep for the entire 1 hour flight, probably drool running out of my mouth….I woke up with the bump of the landing gear….kid across aisle was still screaming!

When I arrived at Dublin airport I had reserved a car….I headed to car rental part. Understand this is something I kept second guessing myself on;but wanted to give it a try….when I got to where I get the car he stated that the insurance I had would not cover me therefore I would have to pay triple the amount and would have to place a $5000 hold on my card (good luck with that card I thought) but I refused and stated that wasnt going to work so I decided not to rent car…at that price I couldve bought a car! While on Road on bus, I believe that me not getting a car was blessing.

I caught bus to Dublin and driver dropped me off to where I would catch city bus to my B&B.

Its a beautiful home however Im in suburb central….I might as well rented a place on Watauga street or Ridgefields….Irene is a sweet french host and extremely nice…I think she was expecting me to ask a lot of questions etc….all I did was get a water and went straight to bed… My allergies was messing my sinus up and I just needed rest!

June 11

Wanting to make the most of tje day I got out of bed early, had a nice breakfast from the hotel and set out to the train station…from there i jumped on one of those a hop on hop off bus….however due to construction and detours plus they were having a race….it seemed faster to hop off and walk….I traveled along the riverside “Queens Walk” very nice…entertainment on every corner, shops…went into the Shakespeare Globe….toured the tower bridge to the high tower section and glass walkway…Decided to enter tje London bridge Experience….It started out by telling you history…they were dressed scary…so that should’ve been my clue….but nooooo…I keep on.listened to some interesting info about the building and demise of the 2 other london bridges….then they said we were heading to tombs….they said to hold on to the persons shoulder in front of you…needless to say they gave me a little scrawny woman who quickly switched places with her husband….this was haunted tombs….to know me knows I don’t do haunted anything…. When it got into scary part such as heads dangling, clowns coming to live, people chasing with chainsaws and meat cleavers….I mainly heard screams because my eyes were closed, newly manicured nails deeply imbedded in the guys shoulders, face in his back and toes on his heels….I opened my eyes only when I didnt hear screams..At one point we had to go through these tight airbags…either the guy in front of me was helping pull me through or he was trying to get away….but I followed the rules of the place…I NEVER LET GO….after we made it through I thanked him…..

A little more exploring and I was off to bed…got an early day tomorrow to catch flight to Ireland.

June 10th.

Really slept late today….14 hours of walking got me yesterday….but Im back at it again….Today I will use my London Pass to get to Windsor….my first train was delayed 30 min….my second train was delayed 10 min…the under ground and other rail on time….

I love Windsor….the charm is so adorable….The castle itself is bigger than the town it seems. It is massive. The queen uses it ….I missed the changing of guards…I might can catch them at Buckingham…..walking around the shops, crooked buildings. The shops even curved around the curves of the street. Because Rick Steves said I had to eat fish and chips while in London…I got some fish and chips at a little outdoor food place, sat on a picnic table, and watched people along the river, boats going by, swans and ducks….a shop was playing celtic music…and i was in pur heaven….I decided to buy me a mango smoothie…they looked so good and it was delicious until I boarded the train and spilled it all the way down my shirt….and of course I have to sit across from a nice looking business man….luckily I had a extra shirt in my cinch sack….

However since Ive not learned the money yet, I had to get a woman coming out of bathroom to pick out 30pence of my change so I can go in toilet!

After I wandered the streets a while I took my multiple trains back to london. I decided to take off on a river cruise….the one I got with my london pass was finished for day so I went on a different one that still took me to the tower bridge to see the iconic bridge….I love riding on the water….I met 2 nice lasies who live in somerset and made nice chit chat….although they just lived 2 hours from London this was one of very few times they had been here….

After my little cruise I got me a sub sandwich from subway and started my way back to the hotel….I have a lot planned tomorrow.

June 9.

Up early…to meet for my day cruise to stonehenge….Ive wanted to see this place since I wad a child. I told my siistter one time that I base my travels on my remembrance of my elementary. Social studies book . I don’t remember everything they said but I remember those shiny picture pages of pictures that looked like something from another world….Ones I remember so vividly was 1: Pearl Tower in Shanghai China: gotta see it in 2012, Colosseum and Venice…2016, Stone Henge 2017…also there is Tower Bridge (tomorrow) and Great Causeway in Ireland.

After Stonhenge we went to Bath England. Beautiful area just precious…we got to explore the Roman Baths….now if anybody read last years blog they remember I don’t do well with guided tours….I tend to trail off taking pictures etc….sure enough I wasnt out of bus 10 minutes before we went thrpugh crowd and I ended up following some other group. After I realized I was with wrong group, I started looking for them because they had my ticket to the Roman Baths…so of course I start asking people where baths located….now while I was looking for the group, I did check out some of the adorable shops. But finally this sweet old couple helped me….as a matter of fact they walked me all the way to the Roman baths….I just love the people of London, they just seem to want to help me, Ive had people zip my back pack on their own so no one would get in it, they are always willing to help especially when I give them dumb american tourist look!…I use ot with pride!.

When we returned back to london it was around 7 pm

..I started exploring…..big Ben, Parliament, monument park, I seen where all the news was being broadcasted on these tents across from the parliament….seen a few protestors….London Eye, city hall….walked along the Thames….this was when I fell in love with London. This is what I expected, so gorgeous and elegant….amazing place

Day 2 london:

Overslept but jumped up, busted my head, crawled around floor packing my stuff….how would I have ever gotten towels in this suitcase I don’t know…I don’t have room for that stuff..I dinished crawling around floor and got my …Im outta here. Dragged luggage, backpack, purse and camera bag and now Im off to see more of london. First I have to drag all this stuff off this hill and get to a train station…..after 30 minutes of walking I decided to grab a brunch…since it was now 12pm…I seen a cute little cafe where a waiter who looked like Ed Sheer waited on me. Eggs sausages all good stuff….but then I casually look over at the bar beside me and see a large pickle jar of baby doll heads and parts floating in liquid..and huge candleabras of white melted wax….hmmmm .. After eating I have to go and pick up my London pass which will get me into the sites and transportation, then head to hotel… It was on a street called Charring street. As Im walking there were sales gimmics going on everywhere and of course one gentleman…one beautiful man asked to smell the perfume and wanted to show me something…of course….he took me by arm…and had me sit in his salon chair…he was going to show me a miracle syrum for my skin ..considering I had washed it this morning with a baby wipe and didnt have a bit of makeup on, it would have to be a miracle….He proceeded with his sell spill rubbing stuff over my face and asking what I did…told him teaxher…he said he retired at 40 from teaching… (he looked 30)….then he tells me the price of stuff…$550…I told him no wonder he quit teaching to make that kind of money….he continued the sale speech all the way to $225… I told him thanks for the face wash but gotta go. (it dont matter how pretty he was, I wasnt paying that)besides when he promised me a miracle….when I looked in the mirror I still didnt see Chery Tiegs!…

. So a tube and a bus I am on my way. When looking for the place I run into Travalgar square…literally a hubbub of beauty. Gorgeous buildings, fountain, play houses all near by really a cool place. After finding my stop to get my pass. Up 2 flights of stairs and down again with my suitcase… I enjoyed walking around taking pics…even if Im dragging my luggage. Now to find hotel!

Whats so scary is no one has heard of ot….when I pull it up on map, it shows it near Crystal park….only response I keep getting is “oh, that is far away” …oh no what have I done….after an underground and overground I get to the neighborhood….Im finding out London’s idea of far away is not the same as mine….it took about 25 minutes both trains….but the trick is finding the hotel….standing near a bus stop I asked a guy if he could give me directions….needless to say he got me on bus and took and walked me to the door of the hotel….understand this is the 3rd person who has taken their time to get me where I need to go….Im sure it wont be the last. I checked into my room….adorable! Towels, double bed, toilet paper on rolls….Im a happy camper. i take a pleasant shower until I couldn’t figure out how to cut off hot water and within minutes I was scalding myself….but it still felt good to dry off with towels. I changed clothes and went out exploring. I found chelsea bridge and walked to the supermarket.

One thing I have got to work on is memorizing the money. British money not only has paper money they have change money…and it confuses me….so when I got a pocket full of change….and some of it equals the paper money…I will stick out my hand like a little kid with a handful of change…and tell that person to pick out what they need….they usually laugh but then they do it…after exploring the city I grab some chicken and head back to the room curl up in bed and watch BBC..Im glad I wont have to bust my head tomorrow.

June 8th continued….the room

After waking up from my nap and busting my head on the bed bars above me; I get a xhance to look around the room…yes it was ver clean and cute if I was 6….imgine 6 beds (3 high) in an 8×8 room. One of the roommates is a struggling (obviously if staying here) middle age model, there for a photo shoot. Now understand this room costed me more than almost anyroom in Italy except venice.

Anyway, I knew I could struggle through at least 1 night….roomates is not my problem…Ive stayed in many places dormitory style with organizations,sca, clubs etc….the problems with this room is what I will get….

I unloaded my clothes to wear today….this was a feat since my little carryon was taking up 1/2 the floor space….I found my converter and was going to charge it and my extra battery and banks….plug was on the wall behind bed…so crawling through bed…lovely 1 plug.

I gathered up toiletries and headed for a good hot shower that would make me feel better..

As I walk into the cute little bathroom I realize thus nd another cute little bathroom is shared by 4 rooms! WOW!

I look around the miniature bathroom and realize there is no towels,washclothes, and the toilet paper was a dispenser like a travel size tissue holder…..OMG. As soon as I get out of this Im getting on booking.com! After my shower in a shower the size of a pantry I dried off with my dirt pants and wrapped my hair and tow dried (shirt dried) it with my dirt shirt….now I feel clean, NOT!

Someone is knocking on door so putting on my makeup near a mirror is not an option. So crawling around the floor in bedroom to put on shoes , unplug stuff, and finished getting ready I head out to see what I can see…I was beginning to be claustrophobic!

I walked through hyde park and some beautiful streets. I found the wonderful marble arch and a few monuments. I walked to Picadilly…now this isnt the Picadilly circus like I thought I was going to, but it was cool. I passed by Harrods…didn’t go in yet to the disappointment of my sister. I found Baxter arcade…(stores) as a matter of fact where I was now must be where the queens court shops….Rolls Royce’s everywhere, every top name store: Luis Vitton, Prada, Ferrari…Its the equivalent of 5th avenue in New York….I was going to grab a bite for lunch but knowing everything here would cost me my left leg I opted for a bag of brazil nuts and some blackberries at a health food store….I decided Id go looking for more things but it began to rain..I walked 2 or 3 miles in awe of everything and taking pictures until my phone died and I realize I had not charged up my battery on my camera!…learning the sub station I decided to head back to my partial room and decided to grab dinner there, after getting on a couple wrong trains and busses I found my neighborhood. I walked up that monster hill at least a 10 min walk, straight up… sore, cranky, and hungry I go to the lounge and plug up phone and start researching rooms….I tried to order some food but kitchen was closed. I found room to check in for the next day….but that means I will be lugging my luggage around til check in….oh well! I head to front office and told them I would be leaving tomorrow instead of the later date, I went to vending machine gotta pack of M&Ms, chips and water and I head to bed….