A long day today. Left Bath at 7:30 AM and didn't get to our new accommodations in the Cotswolds until after 10:30 PM. About 4.5 hours of driving included.
Our first stop was at Bletchley Park, the home of the codebreakers during WWII. Certainly a tremendously important place historically and a fascinating story, but the presentation was somewhat lacking. Confusing, with a lot of repetition. Still, an interesting visit.
The highlight of the day for me was an after hours visit to the Mercedes F1 plant in Brackley. Thanks to David Scott, the brother of one of our traveling companions for arranging the tour. David works for the Mercedes F1 team. We got to see a lot of the manufacturing processes and touch and feel many things. As I'm sure you will understand, photos are banned except for the lobby area. You'll have to take my word that the place is amazing. Many $$$ in this place. We even got to see the race weekend support room. It houses about three dozen people and looks like a NASA control room. They are all connected in real time to the cars, the pits, the racetrack, wherever the team is racing at the time. Monitoring everything. Amazing.
We arrived late at our next stop, Aylworth Manor.
Check out new pics here, including my Mercedes F1 team hat signed by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas (thanks David).
Friday, 11 May 2018
Day 13 - Bath
A quieter day today. In the morning we went to the Holborne Museum. Nice, not spectacular, free. Then we took a walk to Lansdown Crescent, another example of the magnificent curved terraces of Bath. There are spectacular views over the city and a field with sheep grazing in front.
That took us to lunch at Boston Tea Party. We chose this place because it was close to the Assembly Rooms, which we wanted to visit. There was a large group of young women in uniforms at the restaurant, appearing to dine with their families. We thought they might be nurses, celebrating graduation. A quick chat with the woman seated next to us gave us the real story. They were from Norland College, which is a school for nannies. But not just any nanny school. This is apparently THE nanny school. Royal families get their nannies here. It's a three year program and graduates get a B.A. (Hons.) degree. And it's not cheap. About 15,000 GBP per year. Who knew?
Anyway, as it turns out, the nannies spoiled our Assembly Room plans as they had the entire place booked for their graduation.
After lunch we all split up and did our own thing. Michele and Cheryl had High Tea at Sally Lunn's.
Bath is somewhere you could spend a lot of time. Lots to do and very beautiful. If you come to England, you really should visit Bath.
That took us to lunch at Boston Tea Party. We chose this place because it was close to the Assembly Rooms, which we wanted to visit. There was a large group of young women in uniforms at the restaurant, appearing to dine with their families. We thought they might be nurses, celebrating graduation. A quick chat with the woman seated next to us gave us the real story. They were from Norland College, which is a school for nannies. But not just any nanny school. This is apparently THE nanny school. Royal families get their nannies here. It's a three year program and graduates get a B.A. (Hons.) degree. And it's not cheap. About 15,000 GBP per year. Who knew?
Anyway, as it turns out, the nannies spoiled our Assembly Room plans as they had the entire place booked for their graduation.
After lunch we all split up and did our own thing. Michele and Cheryl had High Tea at Sally Lunn's.
Bath is somewhere you could spend a lot of time. Lots to do and very beautiful. If you come to England, you really should visit Bath.
Wednesday, 9 May 2018
Day 12 - Bath
Today we took a day trip to the city of Wells, the smallest city in England. We visited the Wells Cathedral, which may be the most attractive church I've ever visited. We also did the High Parts tour, which takes you behind the walls and up into the ceilings of the cathedral. A real behind-the-scenes visit. Very interesting. Before we left for home, we walked up Vicars Close, the oldest residential street with all original buildings still intact, in all of Europe.
I added a few pics, plus a video that shows the Roman bath springs still functioning after 2000 years. All original,
I added a few pics, plus a video that shows the Roman bath springs still functioning after 2000 years. All original,
Tuesday, 8 May 2018
Day 11 - Bath
We visited the Roman Baths this morning. A very interesting site.
After that we did a two hour walking tour of Bath with Jack Smith, a very entertaining and informative guide. He had many good stories about the history of Bath and its buildings. He showed us Royal Crescent, which is a collection of thirty very expensive homes. All connected, they are referred to as a terrace. There are 8 similar terraces around Bath. Lots of money here. Around 4,000,000 GBP each.
Take a look at this house. Notice how some windows are bricked in. You see a lot of that around here. It has to do with the window tax that England and Wales had in the 1700s and 1800s. Instead of an income tax, homeowners were taxed on the number of windows they had in their house. So people just bricked in windows to pay less tax. Also, notice that on the first and second floors, two of the windows have been moved closer to the other window than they were initially. That's because if windows were less than 12 inches apart, they were only counted as one window. Some think that the window tax was the origin of the phrase "daylight robbery".
A nod to the English in general, who realize instantly that when they have called us Americans, they have offended us. They all seem to know it. Thanks for the apologies. Sorry to my American friends, but I'm sure you understand.
We ended the day with a visit to Bath Abbey and a Tower Tour.
Another perfect weather day.
After that we did a two hour walking tour of Bath with Jack Smith, a very entertaining and informative guide. He had many good stories about the history of Bath and its buildings. He showed us Royal Crescent, which is a collection of thirty very expensive homes. All connected, they are referred to as a terrace. There are 8 similar terraces around Bath. Lots of money here. Around 4,000,000 GBP each.
Take a look at this house. Notice how some windows are bricked in. You see a lot of that around here. It has to do with the window tax that England and Wales had in the 1700s and 1800s. Instead of an income tax, homeowners were taxed on the number of windows they had in their house. So people just bricked in windows to pay less tax. Also, notice that on the first and second floors, two of the windows have been moved closer to the other window than they were initially. That's because if windows were less than 12 inches apart, they were only counted as one window. Some think that the window tax was the origin of the phrase "daylight robbery".
A nod to the English in general, who realize instantly that when they have called us Americans, they have offended us. They all seem to know it. Thanks for the apologies. Sorry to my American friends, but I'm sure you understand.
We ended the day with a visit to Bath Abbey and a Tower Tour.
Another perfect weather day.
Monday, 7 May 2018
Day 10 - Bath
Another beautiful day today. Drove to Bath, perhaps the most historic city in England. Just spent the day walking around taking in the sights. Lots to see and do here. Just don't try to find a parking spot on a bank holiday weekend. Had a traditional roast beef and yorkshire pudding dinner at The Crystal Palace. A few new pics posted here.
Sunday, 6 May 2018
Day 9 - Bournemouth
Today we traveled to Lyme Regis. It's on the Jurassic Coast and is famous for its beaches that are covered with fossils. Today was also the first day of the Fossil Festival. We took a two hour walking tour to discover some local history and look for fossils.
On the way we stopped at the Abbotsbury Swannery. Yes, that's a word.
After we returned to Bournemouth, we took a walk on the Boscombe Pier.
On the way we stopped at the Abbotsbury Swannery. Yes, that's a word.
After we returned to Bournemouth, we took a walk on the Boscombe Pier.
Saturday, 5 May 2018
Day 8 - Bournemouth
Beautiful day today. Sunshine and 15C. Today we explored some areas of the Jurassic Coast.
First stop was Lulworth Cove, where we walked around the town, hiked to the Lulworth Rocks, had lunch and ice cream. Before we left Lulworth, we hiked (quite difficult) to the Durdle Door.
After lunch it was on to Corfe Castle. It's pretty much in ruins now, but you can still see how impressive it must have been. This is probably my favorite castle so far.
Our last stop was a hike to Old Harry Rocks. Unquestionably the best return on your hiking investment. It's a pretty easy hike with spectacular views at the end.
Stopped in Studland (uh huh...Studland) for a pint at Bankes Arms before catching the ferry back to Bournemouth. Tiring day, more than 22,500 steps. But beautiful weather for being outside.
First stop was Lulworth Cove, where we walked around the town, hiked to the Lulworth Rocks, had lunch and ice cream. Before we left Lulworth, we hiked (quite difficult) to the Durdle Door.
After lunch it was on to Corfe Castle. It's pretty much in ruins now, but you can still see how impressive it must have been. This is probably my favorite castle so far.
Our last stop was a hike to Old Harry Rocks. Unquestionably the best return on your hiking investment. It's a pretty easy hike with spectacular views at the end.
Stopped in Studland (uh huh...Studland) for a pint at Bankes Arms before catching the ferry back to Bournemouth. Tiring day, more than 22,500 steps. But beautiful weather for being outside.
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