https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog daily 1.0 2025-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/a5420b20-d3e7-49b0-9f94-84eb761a865f/Prairie+Dog.JPG https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/mengerhotel monthly 0.5 2025-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/8d89837f-ab3e-45bb-8935-3a22b8bccc5e/IMG_2593.JPG Great Hotels - The Menger Hotel The room was painted in a sage green, with thick dark wood furniture, including a bureau with a marble top, with a mirror in a heavy dark wooden frame, with delicate scroll work. The bathroom is small by modern standards, but makes up for it with an old fashion pedestal sink and white porcelain fixtures. I have a story about the room, but I’ll save it for later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/c4ece63e-d553-4395-bc6e-420c10234df6/IMG_2594.JPG Great Hotels - The Menger Hotel - Make it stand out The Alamo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e31a1fe1-9d2e-413e-bbd0-945c14cfd139/IMG_2592.JPG Great Hotels - The Menger Hotel Our room was on the third floor, if you look at the photo above, which is the front of the original building, our room was on the far right. There was a small balcony with a decoctive patina wrought iron railing, under a green and white striped awning, looking out on modern San Antonio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/c6cb6ea4-4804-4f96-bb5d-dbac7068c9cf/IMG_2598.JPG Great Hotels - The Menger Hotel - With the eagerness those cowboys, college athletes, and social elite, were to prove their worth, the stories are not hard to believe, so I choose to believe the legend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/ebc44bfa-dda2-407a-acab-587af177b49b/IMG_2597.JPG Great Hotels - The Menger Hotel The Menger Hotel - San Antonio, Texas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/a1381195-caae-4f42-9eb0-37924913e6b2/IMG_2605.JPG Great Hotels - The Menger Hotel - Make it stand out Menger restaurant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/0692de85-073a-4be3-a537-ed18d167b8b9/IMG_2602.JPG Great Hotels - The Menger Hotel In comparison to the vast open spaces of the other public rooms in the hotel, the bar is almost cozy. You will find an interior, which appears to be carved out of a single piece of the most beautiful cherrywood: the walls, bar, cabinets, and ceiling. Six tall stools stand in front of the bar, behind them are a number of heavy tables and chairs. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/craterlakelodge monthly 0.5 2025-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/4bb7c6ef-6a09-46e1-bca9-b98766c0b07d/IMG_3595.JPG Great Hotels - The Crater Lake Lodge Eight over eight windows look out onto the lake, over a large stone patio. Out on the patio, a long row of rockers sit waiting. It was still chilly when we visited, but I could envision guests, rocking softly before and after dinner, with a glass of wine in hand, enjoying nature’s show. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7d0084eb-2f63-453f-8f29-9f62f23d9031/IMG_3579.JPG Great Hotels - The Crater Lake Lodge - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/fc3f6d18-c482-4109-9871-00b3e77d687d/IMG_3592.JPG Great Hotels - The Crater Lake Lodge I won’t lie, the car was the star of the photo. The picture is in black and white, but the car appears to be white, with four headlights stacked vertically, two on each side. I can make out those great fly windows, which disappeared from car construction decades ago. My first car, a used Buick, was equipped with them. On a hot summer day, you opened them to direct the airflow toward you, old fashion air conditioning. I’m not an automotive expert, but on later research, I believe it’s a 1963 Pontiac Bonneville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/f99c150f-d258-4375-8d99-2a459473c7f6/IMG_3601.JPG Great Hotels - The Crater Lake Lodge - Crater Lake lodge displays its history proudly. On sections of the walls on your way to the elevator are framed pictures of the past. A short sample; one is of a park ranger standing next to the original Crater Lake national park sign, another photo of the dining room circa 1917, shows a waitress dressed in a black dress and white apron, her guests seated around tables draped in white cloth, another picture of a frozen Crater Lake. One of my favorites is Charles Lindbergh flying the Spirit of St. Louis over the lake in 1927. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/4c21d13b-f7da-49f7-96d1-7a934aba8cd5/IMG_3639.JPG Great Hotels - The Crater Lake Lodge The Crater Lake Lodge, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/78d6242a-e2ab-4b93-b493-31ddb0f3c8c8/IMG_3598.JPG Great Hotels - The Crater Lake Lodge As you’re heading to dinner, the main area to congregate is decorated in solid mission style tables and chairs. The space is dominated by a massive fieldstone fireplace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e28409cb-df7d-4647-8786-b71e4f670943/IMG_3599.JPG Great Hotels - The Crater Lake Lodge The large square wood columns done with clean, straight lines, support a ceiling of the same golden coloring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/37d3eea3-a3cf-441a-82bd-6cd5d2a64634/IMG_3566.JPG Great Hotels - The Crater Lake Lodge The rooms belong in a mountain lodge. Our room was modest, a split-level affair with a bed, desk, and bathroom downstair. The bathroom has an old ceramic tub, with a shower curtain set up, and a pedestal sink. Upstairs we had a queen bed and a moderate amount of space. Out a small window, is a view of Crater Lake, which I include at the right. When I said the lodge is located on the edge of the lake, I wasn’t kidding. I would go to that window first thing in the morning and take another look before I went to bed. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/eurekainn monthly 0.5 2025-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/5d6c9c9a-ba33-4285-9502-1e347d3a28d4/IMG_3691edited+-+Copy.JPG Great Hotels - The Eureka Inn The Eureka Inn, Eureka, California https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/69a9ac63-f27c-4951-a088-c2b4c9b77fa9/2024-05-31+19-52-45.JPG Great Hotels - The Eureka Inn - No hotel boasts of its past history and guest list more than the Eureka Inn. Dozens and dozens of pictures, with a small plaque identifying each person and their claim to fame, line the hallways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/2ba9f308-05c8-4107-8585-c8d04707f1eb/2024-05-31+19-51-15.JPG Great Hotels - The Eureka Inn - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/92bbbbd4-9f50-4fb7-a848-a8a3ce35fea7/2024-05-31+20-01-08.JPG Great Hotels - The Eureka Inn - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/2c45465d-4a7c-4d70-9ae4-23b30f14ace9/IMG_3694.jpg Great Hotels - The Eureka Inn - There is a neat picture of people sitting in the small outside court yard. It’s one of those black and white photos, but the paper lanterns hung around the festivities have been colorized with blues, reds, and oranges. The card underneath invites you and your friends to the stockholders Halloween’s ball and dinner dance. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/barharborinn monthly 0.5 2025-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/de993d25-a0c0-4dcb-99b4-397157462f0a/IMG_E4346.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - In a book called, A History of the Bar Harbor Inn, by Vincent C. Messer, he writes, “The Mount Desert Reading Room was an extravagant building, and it reflected the club members’ taste. The building had all the features any gentlemen’s club might require. It had a stylish café and dining room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/2f42809f-fb59-40ee-8837-f533abd61de4/IMG_5409.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - A short walk leads you to the Reading Room, reservations highly recommended. The Reading Room has a lovely spot for larger parties and tables set along the curved walls of Emerson’s original design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/f94270d9-2559-4b7a-a58f-70b563f3ef24/IMG_4280.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1453f2fc-ea03-4a0d-bdba-c648f3478bcd/IMG_4296.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - If you read the introduction about this site, I said it started from a conversation in the bar of the Reading Room. If you are waiting for dinner or dropping in after a day at the park, treat yourself to the comfy confines of the Oasis Lounge, named for the original Oasis Club. There is a full array of cocktails, wines, and beer. Of the local brews, I enjoy Atlantic Brewery’s Real Ale (Brown Ale) and Mountain Hopper (IPA). For those who enjoy a good stout of the Guinness variety, Atlantic Brewery’s Cadillac Mountain Stout is outstanding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/4a4e54c3-7f34-43d4-9c3e-6970f8434d28/IMG_5410.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - You will be looking out at the same views those captains of industry did over a hundred years ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195149771-G034CXIBB4XSGXJOURCT/Atl+Brew+Flight.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195150593-V9USO70Z4PMAEN810O4A/IMG_5495.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195152005-85BZ93328M51ELUYOQ8N/IMG_5496.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195152746-QN6IS0JH8AI4E82CTLA1/IMG_5498.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195153819-NBXZ7RN15KNSRNWTL9UY/IMG_5504.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195155653-1TL7OKEWX5C0RC93B40I/IMG_5527.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195156795-DD4YEHN2U3QEFWO5DU1I/IMG_5529.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195419968-TU7AOUQIND5LK94P8L4D/IMG_5503.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1ce2ddd9-b39d-47d0-b648-e5768d4ae929/IMG_5526.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - Part of the improvements was a beautiful new pool, looking out over the bay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7240c0ad-7125-45e1-90f9-74a3c76e246f/BH+Inn+w+MT.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/155590fb-b039-4527-a20e-f52dcdb835dc/IMG_E4347.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - The Reading Room, empty since the Navy left, was one of the few large buildings left standing. The American Red Cross used it for a disaster services headquarters and the Reading Room had another life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/25cec50b-7fd3-4f73-a57c-934eafb1bf7e/IMG_4092.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - The new pool area is just the spot to kick back and relax, with a pool bar for food and drinks. When the weather demands it, we always designate one day of the vacation as a pool day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/eca0fde6-619e-4241-addd-eaa592253981/IMG_4282.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - Around the inn you will see displays of its history. There is a little nook by the front desk of the WW2 years, with framed pictures on the wall of naval personal in and around the inn, some have warships in Frenchman Bay, with the Porcupine Islands in the background. A heavy picture book sits on a table with more photos of the ships and military personal stationed at Bar Harbor during the war. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/5d74f02b-6b6b-4dad-be21-6ee4b42f602c/IMG_4294.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - One of my favorites is a shot of the pool, in what looks to be the 1960’s, with the bay in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/6ff920f8-cf3e-4054-aac0-8ff85fd62e04/IMG_5501.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - A few personal thoughts; best ice cream, go to Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, the left side of the store is candy and the right side has a plethora of ice cream flavors, including, and I kid you not, lobster. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/fc8c37a4-0d39-4b1b-a9d2-60bed57e0ff1/IMG_5500.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - If you are looking for some summer reading, visit Sherman’s book store. The place is one of those cozy book stores you find in small vacation towns. There is a section for local titles, along with puzzles and games. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195644968-P0MCP32UO7GC51WTP8JW/Bar+View+1.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195639941-OD3DY68NFCEGY56323BV/Jordan+Hike+1.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195644246-0Z8UVYE5TH0TJNHMPMD4/View+1.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195646222-GZNZYMN0ME1HIZ8YV3A0/View+2.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195647911-KVYY1ZC9MSM1RNXBJMGC/View+3.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195648082-3QNCJB1Z4JQPXEXM51U2/View+6.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195650577-ORQRG54Y088WB643F6UJ/View+7.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753195650779-H6YXUN65ZF0Z0I4HH7QE/View+8.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1dd666f3-93eb-46e5-a0f0-c6b43220c2f7/IMG_2219.jpg Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - The restaurant has a full menu, but my favorite order is the popovers, which the place is famous for; with a pot of tea. It’s the perfect light snack to refuel. If you need a few more calories for your activities, there is a popover sundae which will not disappoint. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/ce7541f5-273c-48a3-b0fc-0b72bc0f516f/IMG_5415.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - If it’s a day for a cruise to see lighthouses, harbor seals, or the elusive puffin, there are many options to choose. We used Acacian Boat Cruises, which leaves from the same dock area as the Cat, a high speed ferry from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753193940302-ZC7NOSLBLW0HQSG5NSJN/IMG_4345.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753193940154-XV9731Y4S5SEEZJR3GO0/IMG_5453.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753193943204-1BGKX7RXDEZQMLDFEMFM/IMG_5510.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753194338899-P7JL08JZRYTB84WI178R/IMG_5451.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753194338784-19X2XVUPH8R8JQVGLNFC/IMG_5452.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753194342045-2AT0BMMOHOQTM2UNTD0O/IMG_5454.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753194409343-F1IQ1EO8PQ7E4A3UR9HL/IMG_5518.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1753544730243-UMPGMAPHU7W61CTKJ9HU/IMG_5517.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/63e516b5-80ff-47ba-9d63-2d3ac76ec3a5/IMG_1286.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - Make it stand out The Bubbles as seen from Jordon Pond https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/b9c04256-7b86-477a-8309-f784cdb10cf1/IMG_5455.JPG Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - One picture shows a crowd in front of the Reading Room waiting for President Taft. There is a woman in the foreground in the attire of the early 1900s, full length black dress and gaudy hat, who appears as if she is turning to admonish the photographer. The look on her face always makes me grin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/74c4102c-ae8d-4436-a973-b8647e6a858f/IMG_4286.jpg Great Hotels - The Bar Harbor Inn - Another is a color painting of the old Reading Room dock in the 1880s, with the bay full of sailboats. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/category/Hotels monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/tag/Menger+Hotel monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/tag/Acadia+National+Park monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/tag/Crater+Lake+Lodge monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/tag/Bar+Harbor+Inn monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/tag/Acadia monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/tag/Eureka+Inn monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/tag/Crater+Lake monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/blog/tag/Alamo monthly 0.5 https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip daily 0.75 2025-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/b7e62ee9-8fcc-4577-8c76-87a670d738cf/IMG_4577.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/dc4bc037-0229-4a80-a49c-2235a5d2f88a/Mounted+Guard+05-20.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/0489956a-567f-4ff3-a9e2-a9f710db8e77/IMG_4912.JPG https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/blog-post-title-one-39tgx monthly 0.5 2025-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/d46e7f5a-73ba-43ea-a1db-8f05ef407541/IMG_E5350.jpg UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/a9755f3c-f374-4e0b-afba-3b63cdf7d10e/First+Class+Menu+2025-05-06+Copy+2.JPG UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - The first perk you should take advantage of after arriving, is sit down to dinner. Let me talk a little about the food. The executive class and first class passengers share a lounge, the executive class passengers have an open room with a buffet, which looked pretty good, but as first class ticket holder, you are allowed access to more private seating and can order off a menu. The food is exceptional, equal to a top rated restaurant. The menu gives you a choice of appetizers, salads, a half dozen entree choices, and of course dessert. We took an image of the menu to give you an idea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/077bd7a7-0f68-4ac6-a6ce-97a4a4c2f583/First+Class+dessert+05-06.jpg UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - I’ve flown a good number of times, all economy, and no complaints, but once I wanted to experience VIP treatment. I did a little research; one, a round trip first class ticket is ridiculously expensive. Two, not all first class accommodations are created equal, with some just giving you a little larger seat and better food. Last, a number of reviewers state executive class is ‘almost’ as good, but a little less expensive. Knowing all this, we stubbornly pushed ahead, booking two first class roundtrip tickets on British Airways. I can sum up my experience in a few words; you can’t make me go back to coach. I won’t do it. I can’t do it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/bf5faa0d-bfbf-4f99-b04d-eab18e88bd65/IMG_5345.jpg UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - You are given a charcutier of mixed nuts, olives, and biscuits, along with a hot face cloth, when you first seat down. If traveling over night, as we were on the way out, you’re given complimentary pajamas, and a small kit with travel toiletries: deodorant, shave gel, facial exfoliator, lip balm, a collagen moisturizer, a collagen eye cream, shampoo, disposable razor, tooth brush, toothpaste, and comb. This little kit saved me because I forgot my tooth brush. I mean really, who forgets their tooth brush? If you didn’t eat in the lounge, no worries, you’re offered a full dinner on the plane. I was still a little peckish on the flight home and choose the salmon appetizer with asparagus pictured below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/994232ec-b90b-4eb2-b475-312fdc3a2823/Expresso+Mart+05-21.jpg UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - One last thing, a recommendation. If after having dinner at Heathrow’s first class lounge and you still have time to kill before your flight, find a comfortable chair in the main waiting area, and get yourself an Expresso Martini. If I ever start a list of the best expresso martinis, this will hold the top spot. Delicious, doesn’t do it justice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/cd402bfd-d56c-42ec-86c6-c5e0d2505437/IMG_5342.JPG UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - On the way back my wife chose a garden salad with the duck, while I went with a Caesar salad and a fabulous roast chicken. Do not be shy, you paid for this, the people waiting on us on both sides of the Atlantic were pleasant and wanted to make us happy. We decided to celebrate our overseas adventure with champagne on the way out. I’m no expert, but you know when something tastes good, and this was very good. On the way back, we went with wine, the Bordeaux I had was outstanding, some of the best I’ve ever tasted. The lounge’s personal will liberally recharge your glasses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/3bf75ec2-c88e-4bb1-9ccd-b8fe73b65979/IMG_4528.JPG UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - As an example, on the way out, my wife had the glazed short ribs with parsnip mashed potatoes and red wine jus and I had the roasted Atlantic cod with asparagus on a bed of mashed potatoes pictured here. I had the chocolate torte with Chantilly cream for dessert. My wife went with the strawberry rhubarb crumble, pictured above. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/cc760125-1677-4546-9894-83a4e2182f22/IMG_5367%5B1%5D.jpg UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - A strategic item, to the right is the seating plan for the first class section of a A380 Airbus, it’s a screenshot, so I apologize for the quality. The window seats are always popular, but my wife and I enjoyed two of the middle seats. With the privacy screen lowered, we could chat. Researching our plans, several people noted to avoid the front row of seats if you can, because people will be queuing up for the restroom. During the flights, I didn’t see this as a deal breaker, but that front section of the plane is more active, especially for the two front window seats, 1A and 1K in this diagram. So if you can choose your seat, try to avoid the front row, but any seat in first class is a good seat. In contrast, some people said the same thing about the last row, which has the kitchen and food stations behind it, but I didn’t find that the case at all. It wasn’t noisy and only the flight attendants passed through to get your food and drink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/f09fbc6c-9f97-4be0-8c9b-bb650524410a/IMG_4535.JPG UK Trip - An Item on the Bucket List - We flew on a A380 Airbus, when you board you’re directed to your own cubical with a seat which can be adjusted back as far as you want, no worrying about ending up in the lap of the passenger behind you. If you want to sleep, the flight attendant will flatten out the seat completely and make up a bed. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/lviivzffgxobb6c3uwd6pj1nn1csw5 monthly 0.5 2025-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/2c4a5bae-8d10-49db-91e3-9c12a163d7b3/IMG_4659.JPG UK Trip - Arrival - We stayed the first 3 nights at the Great Northern Hotel. It’s a very nice hotel, but we chose it for the location. Our plans for the first day were to visit the British Museum, a 15 minute walk from the hotel. The next morning had us taking the Eurostar to Paris, which departs St. Pancras, right across the street, it couldn’t be a better situation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/661300f1-9752-48f7-9254-76ed0625a2a8/IMG_4663.JPG UK Trip - Arrival - When you look up at St. Pancras station, which is a separate station from King’s Cross and services international rail traffic, you can almost anticipate Mr. Weasley’s flying car getting ready to appear around the clock tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/07f65e7d-cdc2-4c80-aa15-f5cbc03f781d/Ice+Cream+05-19.JPG UK Trip - Arrival - Even with the jet lag, we were full of energy to start our adventure, but by 5pm we were dragging. The time change was catching up with us. We found a nifty place called the Flat Iron for dinner. My wife commented on what a good business plan it had, limited entree items, but what they offered, they did right. We went with their specialty, a rump steak, sliced and served on a wood cutting board with a small meat cleaver for a knife; tender and delicious. They give each patron a tiny meat cleaver charm, which you can exchange for an ice cream cone. The night we were there the flavor was salted caramel, dipped in chocolate shavings. On the walk back to the hotel, we fell into an Irish pub called Millers, and ordered a perfect pint of Guinness to sit and talk about our day. My search for a good English Ale would start tomorrow. Back at the room, we prepared for our early morning to Paris and were in bed by 7:30pm. I believe I was asleep in less than a minute. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/48029288-880e-4c74-b160-1be32f2ae08e/IMG_4538.JPG UK Trip - Arrival - The British Museum is filled with treasures, it’s an amazing place. The Egyptian section is a must, but there are also exhibitions on early Greece, Rome, Roman Britain, Chinese Jade, Medieval Europe, the Enlightenment, and much more. There was a room I enjoyed, which showed the development and progression of time pieces, filled with ancient devices, clocks, and watches throughout the years. Grab a museum map and find what interests you. And don’t forget to find the Rosetta Stone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750354307847-PTODJLC7AB6OXR650D5X/Flat+Iron+05-07+.jpg UK Trip - Arrival https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750354307142-Y3NIT4USUYIOBS6Q01JO/Meat+Cleaver+Charms+05-19.JPG UK Trip - Arrival https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750355298768-LZZKVWVLF38FJYP92XQ4/Perfect+Pint+05-09+.jpg UK Trip - Arrival https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/fadbc23d-fea3-4c20-ac42-49d7dca1a209/IMG_4684.JPG UK Trip - Arrival - The King’s Cross area will be familiar to Harry Potter fans. In King’s Cross station, which connects you to the London underground system, there is an attraction where you can get a picture wearing your house scarf, pushing a handcart already halfway through the wall at Platform 9 3/4. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750353472399-NEPTL8SD3GDOIONZXUZ5/British+Museum+05-07.jpg UK Trip - Arrival https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750353472187-FPTH0BK3NLGKT6TR5N75/British+Museum+Wood+05-07.jpg UK Trip - Arrival https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750353475564-CWDUT4G6OX74LLEKZ4H2/Jade+Mug+05-07.jpg UK Trip - Arrival https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750353476115-Z2QTDXBF3719QZLC3EWW/Rossetta+Stone+05-07.jpg UK Trip - Arrival https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/blog-post-title-two-gpssx monthly 0.5 2025-08-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/749107ca-673c-4347-ba2c-68bf31e91be3/IMG_4641.JPG UK Trip - Paris - We took the elevator to the top, and walked the stairs down. The tower has three levels, there are restaurants on the first two levels and the highest level is reached by a separate elevator. We went all the way to the top and the views are spectacular. Paris has a ban on skyscrapers and restrictions to keep buildings shorter than the Eiffel Tower. So, yes, touristy, but whenever I see the tower on television or in a movie, I can say, been there. We embarked on the last Eurostar leaving Paris and returned to London at 22:30. Again, the location of the hotel was the huge plus, we walked across the street, and collapsed into bed. We slept late the next day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750357831323-ZKN57B8NEG2GFJO2489W/Dorsay+painting+3+05-08.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750357831466-SNE2ZAPX82GWJGYM4IR5/Dorsay+painting+4+05-08.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750357835416-UID9R1TAH7364TXK4XJW/Dorsay+painting+5+05-08+.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750357844709-RAJA4TR0KW78H2YBLZGC/Dorsay+painting+7+05-08.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750357844262-F2V21234UCISOIMOUZ02/Dorsay+painting+8+05-08+.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750357848383-GZM6NXR4K9LJ3ZNCZXO2/Dosay+painting+1+05-08.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750357847758-TM8EUAJGJ68S63QDJ5D0/Dosay+painting1+05-08.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750358400881-7EJLU4IZMP54BWQ278FT/Dorsay+Horses+05-08.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/fff9fd69-8ebd-4e67-ba7e-982e152844e6/IMG_4608.JPG UK Trip - Paris - I have one personal rule when it comes to art , if I can do it, it’s not art. I would love to be able to sketch or paint, but don’t have the gift, however, I do appreciate those who can. When it comes to art, I like the impressionist. So, though I realize the Louvre is the more popular museum, it was off to the D’Orsay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750358921404-9Q24E54DU03VXJ2NASPB/Eff+Flag+05-08.jpg UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750358921868-OBZZ5JLUVEQ6AKP8E05G/Eff+looking+down+05-08.jpg UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750358925720-BDZXNPZDM09IMGFFYIRD/Eff+looking+up+05-08+.jpg UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750358926183-4QY5RPSDPSIGM9UTFMRX/Eff+River+05-08+.jpg UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/680cf707-1f69-433a-902d-98d3d34f1158/IMG_4615.JPG UK Trip - Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/512305f2-9d02-4693-be2f-fa5bfbb9fb22/IMG_4611.JPG UK Trip - Paris - In the first one, you see a young rosy faced women, dressed in her finest, attending a fancy soiree. T he girl is smiling, happy, you can sense her snuggling into her partner, leaning toward you slightly. Her colorful fan is open, as if to say, ‘Look at me tonight, dancing with my fella.’ She is making a memory she’ll remember into her old age. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7429a2d2-df1d-44e8-a421-dd178d11d187/IMG_4577.JPG UK Trip - Paris - Norte Dame Cathedral I remember riding an exercise bike at my gym and watching the news with the breaking story on Norte Dame burning. I always wanted to see Norte Dame, but it had been there for hundreds of years , I had time, until I almost didn’t. The efforts to rebuild were astounding, there is no evidence of the fire, in fact after texting photos home, my daughter, who saw the cathedral before the fire, said it looks cleaner. My first impression walking inside was the stained glass, oh, the glass, towering above you. The colors, the scenes depicted, and the way it is incorporated into the architecture is all breathtaking. For a little extra contribution, you can visit the treasury, which contains chalices, bishop’s robes and staffs, and other treasures. I was in awe, I can’t fathom how someone in the middle ages must have felt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/b9b0f93f-4723-406b-9a84-451e3e8ba0b6/IMG_4578.JPG UK Trip - Paris - Lunch! On the walk between Notre Dame and the D’Orsay, we stopped at a cafe. A couple of Croque Madames, with fries, and a side salad. When in Rome, or Paris in this case, do as the Parisians do, so I went with a glass of French wine, while my wife went with a cider. The language barrier isn’t much of an issue, our server appeared comfortable with English speakers. It’s polite to try to communicate a little in French; Bonjour (Good Day), Vin Rouge (Red Wine), Merci Beaucoup (Thank you very much), is all it takes. For the rest, I just pointed to the menu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/44b80665-6870-435d-8eee-b57dadac0cc5/IMG_4579.JPG UK Trip - Paris - The D’Orsay https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1749598024578-9RWM8DENJGNUHY9DMPDX/IMG_4557.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1749598024388-VG6O8VBX7RCR6FM2E47H/IMG_4566.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1749598029062-HUOELNC4SM6DY0PORZSS/IMG_4571.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1749598028549-8WHP39QJVDQFUJRGETUA/IMG_4573.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750726691712-I93BT8H1X701PPGAJMR9/ND+1+05-08+.jpg UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750726692545-LCWVTN10DK2C8J0FBKRQ/ND+3+05-08+.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750726694086-TVXFRKXWZ3LM3KHBNFBK/ND2+05-08+.jpg UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750726755557-DC64LWAEOF5NDM4N7IG0/Notre+Dame+chalice+05-08+-+Copy.jpg UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750726695333-A4ERYOKKERKBUB4B9HN4/ND3+05-08+.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750726696130-9QZ3AGG6NKL9WWMQKCVL/ND5+05-08.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750726830383-UGZOOJBO669CY5T0ZMLR/Notre+Dame+Treasury+05-08++-+Copy.jpg UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750726983432-TY7ANC3EFFZXGSXNLV2U/Notre+Dame+display+05-08+.JPG UK Trip - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/ed60ccae-fbe1-462b-8f61-f9be1407a13a/IMG_4622.JPG UK Trip - Paris - Discovering something new is always fun. I didn’t know much about Sisley, but as I took in his paintings, I discovered a new appreciation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/aaf8ef6c-5503-4c6d-8e37-cbcda3e531f4/IMG_4617.JPG UK Trip - Paris - Here is another example, this painting is called, In a Cafe, by Edgar Degas. Tell me this isn’t the picture of loneliness. The woman is at a table with a friend or husband. I assume they are together because they are at the same table, but the woman’s face is vacant, her eyes looking at nothing, like she is going through the motions of life, instead of reveling in it. I want to step into the picture and give her a hug. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/20e8ed95-6dc2-43bf-b24a-a9be408644cf/IMG_4635.JPG UK Trip - Paris - The Eiffel Tower Some things you do just to say you did, how could we leave Paris without seeing the Eiffel tower? The tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair, and is 1,089 feet tall. When completed it was the tallest structure in the world, surpassing the Washington monument. It remained so until usurped by the Chrysler Building in New York, in 1930. I try to stay away from the derogatory terms of ‘touristy’ or ‘tourist trap’, because anything which is popular and draws crowds can be label touristy, but at the same time be well worth a visit. These tourist traps fall on a scale from, “it’s crowded because it’s a great attraction” to “not worth the trouble”. The Eiffel Tower is touristy, but falls on the, “I want to say I’ve been there” section of the scale. It’s crowded, there is security to pass through, and you have to run a gauntlet of people selling miniature Eiffel tower sovereigns, but the structure is a cultural icon. The ride to the top is cool, because you are rising inside the framework and can look out as you go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/bb77136b-9d6d-4184-826c-ed7262164e09/IMG_4612.JPG UK Trip - Paris - Then your eyes move to the next couple. In this painting you get the same sense of a high end party, the couple also in their finest dress, but the joy you had moving from the first painting quickly dissipates. There is no happiness here, the woman isn’t smiling, she appears stiff, her head covers her partner’s face as if she doesn’t want to be seen with him. In contrast to having the time of her life, she wants the night to be over. You may see something different and that’s also the wonder of the paintings around you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/fb61ca63-ee1b-46da-9de4-f2fe287eb2c2/IMG_4608.JPG UK Trip - Paris - Art is a wonderful thing, it lets you peek into the past or step into a scene. I found myself examining the brush stokes and colors, losing myself in the different methods these creative people approached a subject. What was each painting telling me? As an example of what I’m trying to say, take a look at the following two paintings of dancing couples, both by Renoir. These large paintings are placed next to each other on their own wall. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/blog-post-title-three-z7r4r monthly 0.5 2025-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/0ff56fb0-e10c-4fc5-978d-ee006b028110/Outside+Patio+05-10.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - We caught the bus back to the inn, (it was good to leave the driving to someone else), and arrived just in time for dinner. It was a perfect late afternoon, sunny in the low seventies, and we took a table on the outside patio, looking over a long mowed green lawn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/4b70c872-53ec-4df2-abfc-8af6196f1623/The+Vault+05-09.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - It was late in the afternoon and wanted to stop somewhere to get off our feet and take a breath. We were told by good friends to look for a pub beneath Tower Bridge. Sure enough, we crossed the bridge and descended a set of stairs to The Vault. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/f9d46d79-fd2b-4602-bf2b-8b16a9b6c70b/Salisbury+7+05-11+.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - You need to book specific tickets to take a tower tour at Salisbury Cathedral, but it’s well worth it. The Cathedral tower is the tallest in England. Our guide gave us the details on how the building was constructed, and guided us up the levels. Warning, many stairs, and most are spiral. You see the construction of the roof above the vaults, then go up to the view the bells, then to the top, where you can go outside on small balconies and take in the view. If you have the time and cardio stamina, this is a lot of fun. Be sure to visit one of the 4 original copies of the Magna Carta, the cathedral has one. Of the other 3, two are in the British Library, and the other is at Lincoln Castle. Also, find the short video on the ground level, which shows a technician slipping out a small portal, and uses ropes to go to the very tip top to replace the lights on the cathedral tower. When we were done, it was back in the car and off to Warwick Castle for the night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/f5ce768c-3d00-4987-9ab2-4025925f046d/Tower+8+05-09+.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - Some of the graffiti cravings they left on the walls are impressive. I personally enjoy Thomas Abell’s rebus. The first prisoner of the tower, Ranulf Flambard, Bishop of Durham, was also the first to escape. In 1101, he escaped through one of the White Tower’s windows using a rope smuggled in a gallon of wine. The last prisoner to be executed was a German spy named Josef Jakobs, by firing squad in August 1941. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750359772827-L7MJWB9LBL572KSQTSZE/The+George+Inn+interior+05-10.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750359773233-69M3TWB5FYT1QIFLSXU0/The+George+street+05-10++-+Copy.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750360151950-2YPMKEDCDMTJ7E5T37VW/George+pic+2+05-10+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750360151975-HWCTBJCBHQUBUJPD9KC1/George+Pic+3+05-10+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/5414f092-55da-4291-8a88-5a56241a9b03/IMG_4657.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - This place is cozy, read small, with unique views of the Thames and city from under the bridge. We ordered an app and a couple of ales, I tried Neck Oil. Refreshed, we were good to go. We strolled for a while, and crossing back over the bridge, I asked if they still open the bridge, no sooner did I ask that dumb question then the warning horn blasted. We stood aside and enjoyed the bridge open and a ship pass by. It was a great day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/0e8b848d-2cfc-4082-bda0-fa1ed4504d48/Bath+Dress+shop+05-10+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - I’m told this store front in Bath will be familiar to the fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton television show, where it’s the setting for a dress shop called Modiste. (Modiste is synonyms with dressmaker or seamstress) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750362596167-0T5RLUGAA7I6ROANRRT2/Salisbury+3+05-11.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750362596642-0LCQG38FV4XFM0PRO80N/Salisbury+4+05-11.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750362598810-EODEXIACU6K1WZL6VKKQ/Salisbury+05-11.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750362599328-ZI09OVQ727RND1R31IWH/Salisbury+6+05-11.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750362601465-PY3VRHYX4QPNQDFNRBW1/Salisbury+above+vault+05-11.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750363547423-RXX4KYS1FKKOGENP2SXW/Salisbury+Bells+05-10.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750363547272-642IVOWIKL5PM1QKR4KP/Salisbury+Megna+05-11.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750363550075-TTL5VZR7FCIULH9GIRGL/Salisbury+View+05-10.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750361916113-R4N6AXT7KUKFFE1OFKDT/Bath+1+05-10.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750361916034-O92U9DGI33BUJG5HGJ1T/Bath+2+05-10+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750361919001-CEYNGDPKJW250SRO1NL9/Bath+3+05-10.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750361918589-VEAT5G8KDHPVOQVQNPZ9/Bath+4+05-10+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/2bd70eca-08fb-41ab-b9a0-ca223182689c/Scotch+Egg.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - We started with a Scottish Egg, a hard boiled egg, wrapped in sausage, coated in breadcrumbs, then baked or deep fried. The George Inn served it with a fig jelly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/282ea093-ea38-45d4-bb1f-3d5eb5b99730/Tower+Coin+05-09.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - Edward I placed the mint in the Tower in 1279. There are displays of the coins each monarch circulated and the instruments used to strike them. Counterfeiting was treason. Isaac Newton was a Warden of the Mint, he was so good he became Master of the Mint in 1699. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750791132283-049LJOFKW1TJZJXO9GZW/Tower+3+05-09+.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750791132604-T14AL0C5KTARJF1COHCK/Tower+4+05-09+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750791202155-K0MOO3WNQ05AG0AFR7TP/Tower+1+05-09+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750791134821-AREUK6TLWFHUZJH0YJ80/Tower+6+05-09+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750791205514-2PDRLQ5EEJ061OQDJ2Z2/Tower+9+05-09.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750795852187-F3RUMOYB237JVWFJ81J9/Tower+13+05-09+.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750795852219-5YXUDGBUQ9KF3DAXN9MB/Tower+14+05-09.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750796060665-SL8MZV84Y9U2D7PNDXHJ/Tower+16+05-09.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e841c02f-f83b-4726-b2ee-b2cc2c166c65/Tower+Gaffitti+05-09.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - You can view the chambers of some of the more famous prisoners, including 3 queens of England, the unfortunate wives of Henry the VIII: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey who was only 16 when she was executed after only 9 days on the throne, There was also Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, a favorite of Queen Elizabeth the I, until he rebelled against her and Guy Fawkes of the gunpowder plot. There is the mystery of princes, Edward, 12-years old, and his younger brother, Richard, sons of Edward IV. In 1483, the two were sent to the tower by their uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, for their ‘safety’. They vanished without a trace. Their uncle took the throne as Richard III. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/28732799-9de5-4698-a1dd-6934ae3423eb/IMG_4715.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - We arrived at the George Inn and causally asked if there was a bus to Bath, turns out it stopped right outside and was leaving in about 3 minutes. We checked in, left the luggage in the car, and caught the bus, it’s about a 25 minute ride. Bath is a great place to walk about and explore. As the name suggests, one of the attractions are the Roman baths, but there are shops to pop in and out of, and we enjoyed touring Bath Cathedral. It’s a charming village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/c83aa2c6-2f77-4d44-b7d0-663413020fdf/Tower+11+05-09+.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - There are times we like to do our own thing, but this time we tagged along with one of the yeoman warders, who wait for people at the very beginning, a new group leaves at posted times. They are Beefeaters and walk you through the front gate to the inner tower area. Along the way they use humor to point out available sights and a little history of the tower. They keep you about 20 minutes, I found it an entertaining way to get an introduction to the place. The Beefeaters are officially known as the Yeomen Warders of His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London. Our guide stated all warders are retired members of the British Armed Forces, and must be former warrant officers with a minimum of 22 years of service. And must hold the Long Service and Good Conduct medal. The warders wait until they are about to release you to your on devices to answer why they are called Beefeaters, the answer, they have no idea. There is one theory it was because they were given large portions of beef in there daily diet, but there is no proof of such a thing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7aec605a-577a-48ed-aa03-73e6667b26b6/Fish+and+Chips.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - For the entree we went with the Fish and Chips. The green looking paste is called mushy peas, and believe it or not, is good, they compliment the meal. I went with a Fullers for my ale. The next day, Sunday, May 11th, we did a little driving. The final destination was Warwick Castle, but with a stop for a tower tour at Salisbury Cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/89ff283e-a71a-4339-8f4d-3a25fca8a132/IMG_4709.JPG UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral - On Saturday, May 10th, we checked out of the Great Northern Hotel and went back to Heathrow to rent a car. After a bit of driving, with a stop at Avebury Henge and Stone Circle, we headed to The George Inn in Norton St Philip. We enjoyed the George, our room had a large canopy bed, the lobby and bar area has the post and beam look of an old English inn, and the outdoor patio was a wonderful place to eat when the weather is good. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/020e0c83-1a48-45f8-b4a2-e055db735b1b/Tower+Possies+05-09.jpg UK Trip - The Bloody Tower. Bath. Salisbury Cathedral The Tower remembers. The Tower is decorated with nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies. The current display marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2, and are placed on the lawn around, and on, the white tower to resemble a wound. They are meant to be a symbol of remembrance, loss, and the impact of war. The crown jewels can be a wait depending on the crowds, but they were my favorite part. The royals have some major bling. I enjoyed the history on where the major gems came from and how they were acquired. Sorry, no photos allowed. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/warwick-castle monthly 0.5 2025-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/655f990f-63fa-4236-b9c9-0290ea6b88b2/Warwick+Wax3.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle - Remember when I wrote the castle was bought in 1978 to the Tussauds Group, yes, that Tussauds. Many of the rooms are set up with wax figures from the 1898 era. Some purists may find these tacky in a way. I didn’t mind them, I thought they helped put you in the timeframe and showed you the fashion of the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/a5603357-dbfc-4ce3-9cc3-7cbf8a93011b/Warwick+Buffet+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - I have to give one piece special attention, the Kewilworth Buffet table. This piece of furniture sits in the great hall and was made from a single oak tree, taking 9 years to complete. A family business in Warwick called Cookes and Sons created it. According to our guide, it spent some time at the Great Exhibition, then in 1852 it was given as a wedding gift to the future Earl, George Greville. The elaborate cravings are scenes from Sir Walter Scott’s novel, Kenilworth. The story tells about the romantic life of Elizabeth I and her courtier, Robert Dudley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/c926adc4-f925-49e0-adae-2801b92f8e31/Warwick+Tea+2+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - The last thing we did at Warwick before our 4 hour drive to the Lakes District, was a proper English tea. My first one! I had Earl Grey and my wife had a lemon flavor, which were served in elegant pots. On the tower you see in this picture, the bottom plate was pilled with crustless finger sandwiches, the fillings ranged from cucumber, egg salad, salmon, and ham and cheese. The next plate was sconces, served with clotted cream and raspberry jam. This was my first taste of clotted cream, delicious. The top plate was a selection of sweet cakes and pastries; such as lemon drizzle cakes and fruit tarts, I found the Victoria sponge cakes particularly good. I’m told each establishment has their own unique variations. The day was spectacular, looking out over the gardens, sipping tea, and eating finger sandwiches. I’m glad we made the stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/41e141b2-734c-476d-b938-61f6c2a206ac/Warwick+fairgrounds+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - We woke up before the castle was open to the public and before breakfast was due to be served, so we took advantage of our status as the only guests in residence, by strolling the empty grounds. There are multiple outdoor attractions such as jousting and a trebuchet demonstration on the fields picture on the left. As well as The Falconer’s Quest, where birds of prey show off their predatory skills (use caution with the little ones), archery demonstrations, and plenty of things for the kids. The grounds are expansive, the first photo to the left on the top row in the photos below is the hill where the original wooden fort was built. The gardens are beautiful, they have 5 male and 2 female peacocks. When we were there all the males were showing off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/b2ea8752-3175-49e2-832f-f65e86190fcf/Warwick+Bedroom2.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle - How many people can say they spent the night in a castle? Within the castle, there are two private suites inside Caesar’s Tower. Each Suite is on it’s own floor and decorated to the standards of a Lord and Lady. The rooms have high vaulted ceilings, a huge four poster bed, and are decorated in a regal fashion. There is a spacious bathroom, a tea and coffee maker, and access to the battlements. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7d607727-ae94-4ac5-8a64-40f5a7e7965d/Warwick+Castle+2+05-11.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - Make it stand out Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/a4b03f18-2247-44b9-8c99-09534755f0ae/Warwick+breakfast+S+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - We ordered a full English breakfast, which most times includes, two fried eggs, a couple of slices of thick bacon, sausages, black pudding, baked beans, and a grilled tomato. All of this is accompanied with toast and coffee or tea. Taking our concierge’s advice, we also ordered a granola mix with yogurt, pastries, and fresh fruit. This was really nice, made you feel special, like not having to wait in a long line or getting back stage passes to your favorite band. As we chatted, we wondered what it would be like if this was your normal daily breakfast. Would it destroy the enjoyment of it all? After all, if everyday is Christmas, then Christmas is no longer special. Don’t get me wrong, if you want to make me a wealthy Earl, I’m all in, just random thoughts over breakfast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750897088348-0WB3X3VT27JQ41R23DZE/Warwick+Woodwork+1.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750897088157-ODKFFRWGSJI9BT89DN79/Warwick+Woodwork+3.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750897091254-DWSQAEAYY0M77C0MTBVS/Warwick+Woodwork+4+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750897930893-O9Y283TVF0U3EBELOMJV/Warwick+Wood+2.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750899523712-9TKO8C32BOKIOFOS9QV7/Warwick+2+cav.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750899524644-TJRH87YQ31R06GDL633V/Warwick+family+photo+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750899526092-F737SSH4KTF9QGOC3SH7/Warwick+Family+Pic+2+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750899628123-YRUWRSES3UF3BGYF79IY/Warwick+Z2.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750871464941-5YN2UISEZ86KBX9ZYBSB/Warwick+Approach+to+Room+05-11+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750871464909-ZVFNZ2EHHEA6E1CKIQ73/Warwick+Battlements+5+05-11+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750871467761-OT6MBVM66P6Q1MYFPL94/Warwick+Tower.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750871920566-BERIHHTFODGW3GYIRBIT/Warwick+View+Original+05-11+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/86f51ef2-a599-4cb2-ae35-a1a12a2bbfbe/Warwick+Bubbly+05-11+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - We stayed in the Rose Suite. We arrived very late in the afternoon, all the people who enjoyed the castle that day were already gone. Our concierge greeted us, she gave us a cursorily look around the castle and showed us to our room. A bottle of champagne sat waiting for us. The package included a full breakfast in one of the staterooms downstairs, a private tour of the castle, and an afternoon tea in The Conservatory Tea House. We filled out our orders for breakfast before our concierge left us for the evening. We were told to order everything we wanted, and not to feel guilty about it; so we did, and we didn’t. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/ba75d2c2-2427-4703-99ad-6b8457563389/Warwick+Coffin+Door+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - The tour took us to the nooks and crannies the public didn’t get to see. When we came to this stairway, we heard an interesting fact. Back in the day, before the wide scale presence of hospitals, and especially in great houses, all the births and deaths occurred in the home. You will notice the railing and balusters on the landing form a small door. This is so a coffin can be passed out through the door, instead of trying to navigate the sharp curve of the stairs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/118e4cb6-4999-4b1e-a232-a2790d5b3657/Warwick+woodwork+2.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle - The furnishings and the cabinetry are artwork. They don’t make things like this anymore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/9a90c638-5bcf-4205-bf42-a5ce7b0aa0ac/Warwick+Tour+6+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - We explored some more after breakfast until it was time for our tour. We were Matthew’s only customers and he took his time giving us the full treatment. If I wrote about all the knowledge he dropped on us, I could write a book. We started in the great hall and walked though the first floor, every room more amazing than the next. These rooms were set up as if for a 1898 royal party weekend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750894722247-XEPGIEBRCSRO9GGLZKP2/Warwick+Tour+3+05-12.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750894722501-DWV6R6ALNSTHKC1ERJFA/Warwick+Tour+7+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750894724502-PYL8A6S2J42M8P452AND/Warwick+Tour+8+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750896360843-8Q3WDUKKJFP2QB2SPVO9/Warwick+Room+1.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750888340699-86AH4EYU9OT3XUIPX2J1/Warwick+Castle4++05-11+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750888343000-Z0SZG13GELXEDSPDZHHP/Warwick+Gardens+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750888343310-9LQ6MUICXLW54AAGUQ9X/Warwick+Grounds+12+05-12.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750888457583-OLV4SVM5QJLNAAMDSND6/Warwick+Peacock+2+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750889964112-VS77IK2Q45QFGALVIA9K/Warwick+Grounds.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750889964023-E667NPIR6THCWONF9Y7V/Warwick+Public+05-12.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750889966023-E5EZEFNADTHBA4FWUUPC/Warwick+Tower+4+05-12.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750892996214-5NENRZ3MWZG2WDGFTVBG/Warwick+Grounds+16+05-12.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750895354052-IQAE2MF1T1FXMU8Y6D2H/Warwick+Wax.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750895354023-BY2A4LMR5CWZ66ZL85U7/Warwick+Wax2.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750895898882-T8H3EYY6E15DQ3902BKN/Warwick+Tour+11.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750895899481-O7Q60SZKU4RHW8SB0UOI/Warwick+Tour+12.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/779b2347-1bb6-421b-abce-f50b04778c6b/Warwick+Breakfast.JPG UK Trip - Warwick Castle - At breakfast time, we were led to our own stateroom. The breakfast we ordered the night before was brought in and we were left to enjoy our privacy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750897882207-2MZCHP35KWE1SJFM55AR/Warwick+Buffet+2.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750897882177-R7SYHFPANTENS2B1FFXR/Warwick+Buffet+3+05-12.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750897886728-DCC3N80VIJN105MIK0XL/Warwick+Buffet+4+05-12.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750897886566-BUA1VAWTNXCUSRJEBILK/Warwick+Buffet+Plate+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1b39b902-ab9c-4326-8ba6-b5a976aa4451/Warwick+Z+05-12+.jpg UK Trip - Warwick Castle - We walked down hallways filled with old photos of past Earls and their family. I enjoy looking at pictures like these. Our guide told us stories of prominent family members and their roles in history. The stories weren’t sanitized, some family members had torrid affairs, they all seemed to like to party, and unfortunately each generation drove the family deeper, and deeper, into debt. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/the-lakes-district monthly 0.5 2025-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/0f4a1cdd-d471-4c38-8b23-56500311475e/Lake+2.JPG UK Trip - The Lakes District - We hiked Walla Crag, which overlooks Derwentwater, which is the third largest lake in the area. If you are a hiker/walker, it will make you work, but isn’t terribly hard. The total elevation is 1,243 feet. The paths can be rough in spots and steep in sections, but are very clear to follow. I say it’s not too difficult, but as always, this depends on your own fitness level. There is a ferry service to move you around the lake. There is information on this, and other activities on the lake, back at the Grange. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751044507057-42MXGFUZGPVL3FMJXPN4/Lakes+1.JPG UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751044507375-29JCMSVIQ8RPPX00L3AN/Walla+Crag+2+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751044509741-EVF1M9KWG1AJ1N5ZNVA7/Walla+Crag+3+05-13.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751044510460-Q88M8K8MM7XKLE29R7WT/Walla+Crag+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751044513408-2JZZ2NV3Y1A29Z2VTBKD/Walla+Crag+5+05-13+.JPEG UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751044514878-4XF7A2GGA38WCWYSY18X/Walla+Crag+6+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751044518118-N5QTI721V0KA6QEEI7ZW/Walla+Crag+7+05-13.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751044517459-W1J372TMLN9S3D6EW6TH/Walla+Crag+8+05-13+.JPG UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e25cf5b1-9351-48f9-8bcf-00d25ff0d850/The+Grange+.JPG UK Trip - The Lakes District - We knew we were going arrive late in the day, so we booked 2 nights at a bed and breakfast call The Grange. It’s what a good bed and breakfast should be; charming, clean, and the proprietors could not have been more friendly and helpful. We decided to hike Walla Crag, and one of our hosts gave us a route walking directly from the Grange, which put us right on the trail without driving anywhere. You can drive into Keswick, but parking can be a challenge, so we decided to walk the 15 minutes into town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750971852869-QES3X6J2CZXR45LOR1RQ/Grange+3+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750971852962-KG1X5EG3F6Y4PIYRCAGP/Grange+4+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1750971855681-VCGKAFMJPY3N3N84V30M/Grange+6+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751047311192-XKWXWX5BX0RG35KNCXCU/Grange+Hall+05-13.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751047313825-TT77RB1WAWP7P35RBABZ/Grange+Window+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751047555440-ME9ZX6SP1DE37P6AS9EZ/Grange+Bedroom.JPG UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e7a29674-ac0c-4990-87d0-dbd844d41594/Grange+Breakfast.JPG UK Trip - The Lakes District - For breakfast, you are given a card in your room with several choices, which you leave at the front desk anytime during the day. Along with your chosen breakfast, you get a choice of juice, and coffee or tea. While your waiting for your breakfast to come out of the kitchen, they also put out pastries, fruit, yogurt, and such. The food was excellent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751054589665-C9Y30V7R87KS8HZPDA5Q/Golden+Loin+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751054588702-5ZDW5M2MOCFRI8400DWU/Grange+Church+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751054591502-W4BO9FVSAE11IP5J5E28/Grange+Cider+05-13+.jpg UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751054591900-ETT0804PVU8FU4EZ6FPB/Grange+Dinner+05-13+.JPG UK Trip - The Lakes District https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/bc651e5b-6ed1-4ef1-b421-3ef3eb5855ec/Grange+Bar.JPG UK Trip - The Lakes District - When we came off the trail, we had some time before heading to our room to shower before dinner. So we walked around town, did a little shopping, and continued our search for the best ale and cider. I tried a Hay Golden Ale and my wife went with Old Mout, a house cider. When we returned for dinner, we went to the Skiddaw Hotel. The only reason we tried this place is because an old episode of Rick Steeves travel show recommended it. For dinner, I had an Ale Battered Fish and Chips, with an order of onion rings. On the row of photos below, on the far right, is the Atlantic Fish Pie, on a bed of snap peas, my wife had it with a salad. And we can concur with Mr. Steeves, it was all very good. The drink you see pictured with the fish pie is a Pimm’s Fizz. Pimm is a gin based liquor with herbs and citrus flavors. It’s a popular summertime drink served with fruit, in this case raspberries, it was very tasty. We spent the rest of the night walking around town and talking about how glad we were to be on this trip. Our stop at Keswick got us out of the cities and into the English countryside, well worth it. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/edinburgh-castle monthly 0.5 2025-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648321113-S1I4YZ32F1T4WS5FRQLB/Scot+in+UK+army.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648467223-EX2T14DQWKYF1QKK4GLZ/Edinburgh+NAvy+Poster+05-15.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648468101-86AETD48FO0HBHZNLHXL/Scots+Battle.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648469879-2LE76XRWLY5TYXN5I3Q9/Scottish+Medals.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648564952-A9UZMVGN9DSHUUSCTAMU/E+Sword+4.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648567090-X90TDK3GY06TZ5XTO5A1/E+Swords+3.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648568549-ZNEJ29FPMZX5DQK7XO0W/Swords+and+Guns.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751650303950-ONIEZLE0WEFVVTNXUHQV/Edinburgh+Swords.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/336721a5-b81a-46fb-841a-b3ea6a9593da/Edinburgh+Castle+View+2+05-15+.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh Castle was about a mile away from the hotel, and on a glorious day it was an easy walk. The castle is a treasure trove of history going back 1000 years. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was one of the Scottish royals residences. You can set your watch by the one o’clock gun, see the contributions of Scotland’s military, and behold the Scottish crown jewels. A word of warning, as you will read in the Scotland page, the Stone of Scone, used during coronations, is no longer on display in the castle. It was moved to the Perth Museum in 2024. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7e17912e-b639-4c6c-9f84-42509cd6238a/Edinburgh+Royal+Fussilers+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle - There are two museums housed within the castle devoted to the Scots contribution to the United Kingdom’s military; especially those of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Royal Scots Regiment. The museums are stuffed with artifacts, weapons, and uniforms from throughout the centuries; retelling the glorious and bloody histories of various campaigns. Look for the Imperial Eagle of Napoleon’s 45th ‘Invincibles’, captured by Sergeant Ewart at Waterloo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/9ae1ac5a-aa52-4c90-b5fc-568fa53de7d6/Edinburgh+St+Marg+3+05-15.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle - St. Margaret’s Chapel There is a small building, said to be the oldest in the castle, if not in Edinburgh, built in 1130. David I, built this private royal chapel and dedicated it to his mother, Queen Margaret, later Saint Margaret. The building was the only one left standing, when King Robert Bruce ordered the castle made unusable for the English, in 1314. A simple building outside, inside an arch divides the room in two, a half circle for the alter on one side and a rectangular nave on the other for the royal family. There are stain glass windows, and unlike the ones in the massive cathedrals, these you can walk right up too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/c1527d7e-5355-4d18-baf9-5f0c6fcd2f16/Edinburgh+HAll+2+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle - There are a number of stories you will read and hear as you walk about the castle. For example, the picture to the left is of the great hall. One event said to have occurred here is the legend of the Black Dinner, which tells of the murder of William, the 6th Earl of Douglas, 16 years old, and his younger brother. The Douglas family were powerful, who won favor under Robert the Bruce. By 1440, they were also very rich. The legend has it they were invited to the great hall to dine with the 10 year old, King James II. The three boys were getting along famously, until a signal was given and armed men seized the boys. The boy king cried and unsuccessfully begged for their release. The boys were dragged to Castle hill and beheaded. As it happens, the boys great uncle, James Douglas, inherited the earldom. If this is true, that two guests enjoying the king’s hospitality, could be killed, and the assailants get away with it, is real life “red wedding” stuff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/29d5d3de-baf4-402e-a813-c4e7771a2a8e/Edinburgh+Great+Hall+Fire+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle - To the right is the huge fireplace in the hall. There is an iron barred opening to the right of the fireplace for a peephole called a laird’s lug. A place the King could eavesdrop on his guests. When Mikhael Gorbachev visited in 1984, the KGB asked that it be bricked up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751650071087-VWKVZ78NZH9V8NEHPPRH/Edinburgh+Marg+2+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751650068622-6JHQBWABRU9913T8GB37/Edinburgh+St+Marg+4+05-15+.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751650070976-LEG33PMJUP6BEVI41C3U/St+Marg+1+05-15.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751645837663-Q9GF992ATED9Q5CPYSD8/Edinburgh+Cannon+05-15.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751645836928-465I0B1M6ZF5R6EGL53Z/Edinburgh+Castle.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751645838939-JVT4FWPMXX55LQ5CEWBA/Edinburgh+Fireplace+2+05-15.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/9b8af208-617f-4765-941a-e25071344095/Edinburgh+War+Memorial+2+05-15.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh Castle is the home of The Scottish National War Memorial. It was first created in 1920, to honor the military personal in World War I, in later years for the fallen in World War 2 and other conflicts. Quoting from the official souvenir guide, “Here the enormous contributions of Scotland’s 12 regiments and the other corps and services are recorded. Beyond lies the shire, focused on the steel casket containing the complete roll of Honor of the Scottish dead.” The memorial is a quiet and solemn place of remembrance. No photos are allowed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/d81b379b-94d3-48cc-9d7c-01d936a42e26/Edinburgh+Breakfast+2.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle - Our first full day in Scotland, we planned to get to Edinburgh Castle when it opened, so we wanted a quick and easy breakfast. A short walk from the room we found a place called Mor Bakehouse. It’s a small place with breakfast foods and sandwiches. We chose a couple of pasties, mine had a spicy beef with chopped vegetables. There is a haggis one for those who want to immerse themselves deeper into Scottish culture. One of these warmed up with a coffee Americano is a perfect start to the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751647886750-EVG0WS5ZXB11WD8D0447/Edinburgh+Courtyard+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751647887043-RFTFL7ODG4L7JD7VI9BU/Edinburgh+Flag+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751647890614-5YWK1L3XP4YGHO78KRKO/Edinburgh+Grounds+4.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751647890407-BEU2MGPZ3AVZ24MNZEGC/Edinburgh+Grounds+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648136839-KEIGYCYQSJ4RRUA43AY6/Edinburgh+Battry+05-15+.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648136163-JKGURZD19KAZYUTHP57G/Edinburgh+Grounds+2+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648139592-U4JVQ1MW75IUMOP05LOL/Edinburgh+Sign+2+05-15+.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751648140298-46364WWS3829MQ18D3KK/MONS+MEG+.JPG UK Trip - Edinburgh Castle https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/blog-post-title-four-pk2cs monthly 0.5 2025-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7957da92-55d9-4d92-b107-03e4b07ca61f/Sea+Glass+05-17+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland - As far as the haul, very good, not only in quantity, but a nice variety of colors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7602562d-cb60-4737-8f81-1de2749199f6/Edinburgh+Dinner.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - At this point in the trip we started going back to dishes we wanted to have again before leaving. We found a place called Howies, nice place with a good sized menu. I went with the steak pie with potatoes and a veggie. Coming from the US, which has some of the best beef in the world, I enjoyed the meat selections I found in the UK. The steak pie came with a hardy gravy I was fond of, and went well with my ale of choice for the evening, Newcastle Brown Ale. My wife went with the classic fish and chips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/35c4932a-cc65-44ea-8e94-1d70be9bb7d6/Dun+Interior.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - Once you negotiate the outer defenses, first descending the long approach, then ascending stairs past the gateway and the pends (steep covered passageways, which would have been lined with defenders), you come out on a grassy plain to the interior. As you walk through the brewery, stables, smithy, chapel, large storehouses, bakery, and private houses, you get the sense the castle may have been one of the more comfortable places to live at the time. The keep was constructed by Sir William Keith in the 1390s and is the most prominent building. The views of the North Sea and beaches are wonderful. You can see the main hall on the first floor, with the kitchen fireplace still in place. Stairs led to the second and third floors, which would have been the master bedroom and guest chambers. It’s a great location to stroll through the past. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/007d8352-317c-483c-a179-6541d72a44b9/Edinburgh+Desserts.jpg UK Trip - Scotland - For dessert, my wife ordered the Howies famous banoffee pie; with a biscuit base, toffee, banana, whipped cream, and toasted almonds. I couldn’t pass up the hot fudge sundae; with brownie pieces, toasted pecans, and whipped cream. Sometimes when you spend the time and expense to take a trip, you hope you don’t build up your expectations so much, that in the end, you are ultimately disappointed. Our exploration of Scotland met, and exceeded our hopes, we have already talked about a return visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413699941-Q915IEULOFE5COU40YEQ/Britanna+Crew.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413699488-EGZWIP6N8HX69YH27P4G/Brittana+Cres+Lounge+05-15.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413701200-0LIA2RZ5M57S5FG2L98K/Brittana+Crew+Qtrs+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413701818-JNXLBU4J73YOTVRY2NHK/Brittana+Sick+Bay+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/6460d3b7-7d3a-4146-aab1-bbc39b1971c1/Sea+Glass.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - It was time to head back south, with a quick overnight at Scarborough. My wife is a sea glass hunter and good at it. As we headed back to London the next day, we built in a side trip to a local beach and hit the jackpot. [What? What do you mean don’t tell them? You can’t keep all the best sea glass places to yourself. No, no, I’m telling them.] Seaham Beach, England, is a mile long stretch of coast from the harbor wall to the north of town. [Ouch…. that hurt.] There is parking near a restaurant where you first enter and you can look down on the beach as you walk along the sidewalk, descending to the beach itself. It was a nice break in the drive to walk along the shore and get the salt air in your lungs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/4590e278-7d02-4360-a3b9-51a05fa8f602/Scotland+Sign.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - On Wednesday, May 14, we headed to Edinburgh, Scotland, a little over 2 1/2 hour drive. An odd thing about Edinburgh, while there you only walk up, streets, sidewalks, stairs passing themselves off as sidewalks, always going up. OK, physically impossible, what goes up must come down, but if your a walker, it sometimes feels that way. Parking can be challenging in Edinburgh, but we found a garage which charged a daily rate. We stayed 3 nights at the Princess Street Suites. We chose the Princess Street Suites for 2 main reasons, first location, we were close to a convenient hiking opportunity, Edinburgh Castle, and public transportation. The second reason was the room came with a kitchen, and what we were really looking for, a washer and dryer. We figured by this point in the trip we would need clean laundry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/7d0374bf-10e4-4103-8fa0-0a9aa3a87b22/Britanna+Queen+05-15+.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - There was one photo in the hallway when you first head to the yacht, which is particularly touching. The fate of the yacht was a political decision. The Conservative Party announced the yacht’s retirement in 1994, stating a refit would be expensive and only prolong the ship’s lifespan by 5 year. The party did commit to replacing the yacht if returned to power during the next election cycle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/9d8f99aa-d4bb-4f44-869a-c95c42fe6a94/Stone+of+Destiny.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - The Stone of Destiny, also know as the Stone of Scone (pronounced ‘Skoon’), was displayed at Edinburgh Castle, from 1996 until 2024, then it was moved to the Perth Museum, approximately 40 miles north of Edinburgh. This was bit of a side trip the next morning to see a rock, but the history behind the stone made me want to look at it with my own eyes. A small pamphlet added to the Edinburgh guide book states in medieval times, the stone was kept at Scone Abbey, just outside Perth, and was used in the coronations of Scottish kings. In 1296, King Edward I of England seized the stone, taking it to London and placing it under the coronation chair, to symbolize his authority over Scotland. It did not permanently return to Scotland for 700 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751314325858-ARJ0V9RBSJ2R7PRU5SCK/Authers+seat+paved.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751314326103-QLRQY1TA3NUA5G2RT5GB/Authers+seat+trail.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751314327585-T43EDXXBDW01BUCIWI2T/Authers+seat+view.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/b561d272-9e50-4864-873c-31f64deb82ad/Edinburgh+First+Dinner+Dessrt+05-14+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland - I tried a Tetley’s, to go with my dinner and found it a very smooth beer. The dinner was very good, dessert was fabulous. A sticky toffee pudding, drenched in toffee sauce, and served with a side of vanilla ice cream. The other is called Cranachan, a traditional Scottish creation. It has the consistency of a trifle, made with cream, fresh raspberries, Scottish oats, and whiskey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/0f8e9e26-e1f9-433f-80c3-e84845c60ff9/Cowse+1+05-17+.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - My wife wanted to see some ‘Highland Coos’, this variety of cattle is distinguished by their long fluffy coats, which makes them adorable. Since she went with me to see a rock (Stone of Scone), I didn’t have a problem going to see some fluffy cows. We were buying our tickets, when one of the workers mentioned we arrived at a good time, one of the cows had recently dropped a calf. We first thought he meant a couple of weeks ago, in fact, it was 45 minutes ago. The little thing hadn’t even figured out how to stand yet. Mother and calf were right along the fence line, so we could get up close, and the calf gained his feet just as we were walking up to him. Not everyone will want to invest the time for a side trip along narrow English country roads to see cows, but come on, how stinking cute are these guys? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/d86bc7c7-0cf5-4c37-a1c0-ea079143a754/Britanna+Bell+2+05-15.jpg UK Trip - Scotland - On Thursday, 5/15, we spent the morning at Edinburgh Castle, which I covered in its own section. I said in the beginning, we try to leave free time to do things on the spur of the moment. With most of the afternoon left, we decided to hop on the tram and travel to Ocean Terminal, Leith, where the Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed. I will trumpet the public transportation again, the tram line was about a 10 minute walk from the hotel, the tram cars were clean and ran regularly; I don’t think we waited more then 8 or 9 minutes. The trip from Edinburgh to Leith took less than 20 minutes. The royal yacht was brought into service in 1954. Before its retirement in 1997, it logged over a million nautical miles. There is a great chart showing a timeline of the more than 600 ports visited, in 135 countries. There is a hallway leading from the visitor’s center to the yacht, with pictures of the yacht, royal family, and crew. There was an old salt and veteran of the crew answering questions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1c8e2513-2a6b-4b60-bd24-b3d81c5750b4/Dunnottar+Castle.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - Dunnottar Castle Another day, another castle. We drove to Dunnottar Castle, which has one of most striking locations on a rocky outcrop jutting into the North Sea. This castle is in ruins, most roofs have long disappeared, but there is plenty remaining to give you a real sense of the place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e3d6a13e-9fab-43e4-a579-e1f4c973776c/IMG_5108.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - As a castle, you get the sense of trying to lay siege to the place. The picture to the right, shows how you approach the castle today on the landward side, with stairs (yes, of course there are stairs), added for your comfort. Imagine forcing yourself down this slope, then attacking a heavily fortified gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413368730-C1AC6V4L8HI1LSXABXXJ/Britanna+Aft+Room+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413369442-X4MC5KYB1C3SJKKL6A1E/Britanna+Bridge+05-15.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413413294-0PBY80EWBB9PYCC6FSU5/Britanna+Dine+Room+2+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413413404-VSCI50DW4Z13A3QDHXPT/Brittana+Dinner+Room.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413479425-AK798YZK0R9DLL6TVXFB/Brittana+Bedrooms+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413479436-Z3TGA3HZ33BVT7XRTIJW/Brittana+Living+Room+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413482113-W57XJWEETH5F4ZR2QI9T/Brittana+Room+2+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751413482242-EKH39NH04WOTAUQ3FBW8/Brittana+Silver+Pantry+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/702c5a29-d291-43e8-a8a7-fb227f420ca2/Brittana+Launch+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland - No dingy for the Queen to row ashore, this launch transported the family or allowed private boating time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/13553867-5c15-4245-a97d-02be922f165f/Britanna+Landrover+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland - There is a spot where the crew tucked away a Land Rover for the royal family to explore a port of call. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751328341431-SJP39N9D9L1NLYEFKNGR/Dun+Brewery+05-16+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751328341961-VHI2IR2WFYTPLJZ9YNC5/Dun+Int+4+05-16+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751328346185-CBJCRUSH63PVEJJ7BRFY/Dun+Int+6+05-16+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751328346502-K6XWMSTFJMRE0XS7EXBL/Dun+INT+7+05-16+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751328349301-RKNL110CVCX5DLBECJ18/Dun+Kitchen+05-16+.jpg UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751328350375-TUGKT28FDI5VIEYW8WI1/Dun+Ruins1.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751328354318-BDJ5UDWHYLW072A67KV0/Dun+View+2.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751744095753-2TJ9HOM957DKW3X67QNX/Dun+View+3.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/0adafcc3-e611-4f9c-894b-32d5ecb3983a/Auther%27s+Seat.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - By the time we parked the car, checked in, and got the first load of laundry going, it was after lunchtime. Our plan was to get in a hike. Arthur’s Seat is an ancient extinct volcano in a group of hills which make up most of Holyrood Park, located about a mile east of Edinburgh Castle and about a fifteen minute walk from our hotel. The hill’s summit is 823 feet, is a semi easy climb, and very popular with hikers. It’s a steady ascent, and there is a section toward the top paved with stones. The views of the city and the surroundings are worth the hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751746196887-SCABPY7ZGESU4T9E2DAO/Cowse+2.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751746197851-A69WZHHABA4ZYY2GBGU1/Cowse+3.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751746199192-EKX6DHB9FBIQRYBM2C3T/Cowse+5+05-17.JPG UK Trip - Scotland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/c820f140-b4d5-4880-a30f-253857f4bb69/Edinburgh+First+Dinner+05-14+.JPG UK Trip - Scotland - The first night in Edinburgh we couldn’t find a place to eat, though there were plenty in the area. You either needed a reservation or wait for an hour. I’m guessing there was a lot of business travelers at the time, because we didn’t have too much of a problem the remainder of the stay. We lucked out though, after walking a bit we found, Tiles Bar & Bistro. Nicely appointed and good food. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/london monthly 0.5 2025-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e3e849bb-3cfb-4a16-baa0-45791dbc5581/C+War+Room+1+05-19+.JPG UK Trip - London - After St Paul, we made our way to Churchill’s War Rooms. These rooms were Winston Churchill’s center of operations during World War II, hidden in plain sight, located beneath the treasury building near Whitehall. The war rooms themselves are fascinating whether your a history buff or not. The rooms are advertised as being untouched since they closed at the end of the war. The glassed off rooms have costumed figures inside going through daily work to give you an idea what it looked like in full operation. The war rooms also contain the Churchill Museum, which goes through a detailed review of the man’s life. You can find his Noble Peace Prize, one of his first paintings, and stories of his exploits in the military and politics. You can also see an authentic Enigma machine. I found the complex a great take, my only complaint is the day we went it was as crowded as a Disney ride. Even with that, I enjoyed it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751387220357-5RWZ8JUE80P3ESURWGW4/W+London+West+1+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751387219588-9H2UGIXLJZOL935X2233/W+London+West+8+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751387224844-V89B2OT8QIXJ69MRXWYR/W+London+West+tomb+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751387224856-E24L0T1UVSHGYA99T3KO/West+1.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751906869302-6WPGYG4NCHGIQSUDZCRF/Tomb+4+05-20.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751906873433-AJ3GGIO3KNGN6V85MDXZ/Tomb+7+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751911823119-G76NWWXVL3JJRXVPDG6Z/IMG_5402.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751912037400-D35BJRINNIAHALZTGK0W/IMG_5286.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/8d3f418f-b378-48a2-aad7-40a4236f7e69/Tomb+5+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London - In the North Ambulatory, there is a eye catching memorial, showing Lady Elizabeth Nightingale, who died in childbirth, being shielded by her husband, blocking the spear held by a skeleton emerging from the tomb. The one below on the right, is for Sir Francis Vere, a military commander, lying under a marble table, with his armor on top, done in alabaster. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751910456851-2Y8JXQIJYQIXWNLQ19UY/W+Glass+3+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751910456671-SKWUS2BCPJJ3PNDFQPKH/W+Glass+5+05-20+.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751910460166-G837PX94L7MHBLX8BA1M/W+Glass+6+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751910459149-MM53GUS1NT7RGH80L1AS/W+Glass+7+05-20+.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751910461395-0LFZ949YZLAUGFCL30HO/W+Glass+9+05-20+.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751910464163-9FNABQ2VZ9PPV635DUT2/West+2.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751910463880-AEB1AAM7KPFE8ZHO7SA1/West+3.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751910595282-FAT64AC8L0PRM8PYTUGW/W+Glass+6+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751371303252-VLE0XG5NVPS01FW4ZGWG/St+Paul+Tomb+3+05-19.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751371552006-NEQD09CGEQ5EAM8SHVM7/St+Paul+Mon+retry+05-19.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751372006176-Q6F9FFTJ1ZQN3WTH1I58/St+Paul+Well+2+05-19.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751372438024-LGOVTAY4A0T3ENQ2VTKH/St+Paul+Stone+05-19+.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751369396088-W2OT2W5TJ11MY997WAFM/St+Paul+S3+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751369396475-G6DOJJDFY2BH5T1WUTR8/St+Paul+S6+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751371358858-Z2A9FOWMCFEQ6SPRJG1A/St+Paul+S1+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751918689814-CBPJRXP8CW2ZCDMN95HC/St+Paul+S4+05-19.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/b5f93aa9-e1b0-4060-aa72-7b5fb46696e6/Waldrof+Breakfast.JPG UK Trip - London - The next day, our plan was to visit Westminster Abbey, but we wanted to visit the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gallery, which was a separate admission and we needed to wait until 11am. So, we started the day with breakfast. The buffet at the Waldorf was top self, good food, great selection, and plenty of it. The rest of the morning before our appointed entry to Westminster, we explored London. We saw Piccadilly Circus, just to say we did, walked to Buckingham palace, and took in Trafalgar Square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/25757cbe-1c46-4361-971d-5df77d90643d/Waldrof+Room+5-18.jpg UK Trip - London - We checked into the Waldorf Hotel, very nice, with a very helpful staff. We stayed in one of the more moderately priced rooms, smallish, but comfortable. The location is what worked for us, located in London’s theatre district, we could walk to Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, and most of the sights on our list. The only bad part about the location was we returned the car since we didn’t need it any longer in the city. The walk with our luggage from the nearest tube station to the Waldorf was a bit of a walk, in hindsight, we might have incurred the extra expense and taken a cab. You will find many very nice hotels throughout London, so use your own priorities to pick one. Not that the Waldorf was disappointing, to the contrary, but there are a lot of options. Our advice is to find a location where you can walk or take the underground to the things on your list. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/9ee0588c-1d98-42f4-90ff-6d3760667f7f/St+Paul+Lord+Nelson.JPG UK Trip - London - The more famous of those buried at St Paul include: Lord Horatio Nelson, the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar, one of the nation’s greatest naval victories, Duke Arthur Wellington, famous for defeating Napoleon at Waterloo, and Christopher Wren, the architect of the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/218b980c-dfee-4ad8-a2ba-58d8b1db3eb1/St+Paul+S10+05-19.jpg UK Trip - London - The first of the galleries is the Whispering Gallery, which is the largest and runs around the interior of the lowest part of dome, 259 steps from the ground floor. It’s a great view both down to the floor below and up to the interior of the great dome. It’s called the whispering gallery because of an acoustic phenomenon where sounds, especially whispers, can be heard across a large curved space, something to do with how the sound waves are focused as they cling to the surface. Love to show you a photo, but none were allowed on this gallery. At 378 steps, you reach the Stone Gallery, which offers you exterior views of the cathedral itself and the city of London. At 530 steps, you reach the smallest and highest gallery, the Golden Gallery, also running around the exterior of the dome, and offers some of the best panoramic views of London. Get your steps in for the day and enjoy a great experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/306e5b31-71a7-4df5-bb01-e8a1341aea74/Big+Ben.JPG UK Trip - London - According to the plan, we return to London to end the trip. Westminster Abbey, Churchill’s War Room, and St Paul’s Cathedral are all on the menu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751383314667-KT6FA8KHFWV0S0N3O2F6/C+War+Room+2+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751383315716-UIOTKNA6ZL5FCSZKOW2J/C+War+Room+4+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751383316737-3HQX62V2QRUX8CEGVXB0/C+War+Room+5.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751383317828-XV59JKKIBWSM8ETND3AV/Churchill+Nobel+Prize+05-19+.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751826841890-32EKBV93QCIHTBCKJUYQ/C+1+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751826841009-DSJZ70XCV78O41IK6G8Y/C+2+05-19.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751826844225-1HVI5ZWMKCGWQW7PPJWH/C+War+Room+3+05-19.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751827064843-LBG2LV700AL8HYZPNF28/C+4+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1ee86602-7068-474c-b207-5f7de7323d9b/West+2.JPG UK Trip - London - Behind the high alter, is the American Memorial Chapel, which honors the over 28,000 US service members who died while on station in the UK during World War 2. When the abbey was being rebuilt to repair the damage done in the war, the Dean of the cathedral suggested establishing a memorial chapel. General Eisenhower liked the idea and offered financial aid from the US. This aid was politely declined, believing this should funded by the British people in thanks for the American’s sacrifice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/c3c31052-49a8-4055-a307-df2a58753dfe/W+London+West+14+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London - Do not leave without seeing the Coronation Chair. There is a sign showing where the chair is placed during a coronation, but you’ll find the chair itself right before you exit the cathedral. If you are picturing a jewel encrusted throne, you’ll be disappointed. The chair has been abused over the years. For a couple of coronations, a cloth was nailed to it. Boys from the Westminster School carved graffiti on it. For Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, it was painted with varnish. The House of Commons was horrified, and ordered the varnish stripped off. It took further damage in 1914, when suffragettes put a bomb on it. But through all this, you will see the actual piece of furniture every English monarch since Edward I sits upon to receive the crown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/55a4ed4d-e15f-4192-add5-3f9baf7db6a5/London+2+Breakfast.JPG UK Trip - London - A buffet breakfast is included with the room, except for the first morning. When making our plans we added a night and believe we didn’t choose the breakfast option, our bad. So, we walked down the street looking for somewhere open for breakfast, and found a place nearby called, The Delaunay. We picked the place the same way many of us do, it looked nice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751906590563-SBX14W1TYBUTXYD0MOYZ/Spear+2+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751911579879-3VTUSEMSNXKC7HD6OBQE/IMG_5403.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751387871970-9AZ9ST2E1SUN1T3M9NAF/W+London+West+10+05-20.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751387874635-5S2BD341FUWS4UHTVROI/W+London+West+11+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751387876969-ZWJAZ2LT494O8CMX3VGL/W+London+West+12+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751388920604-1PSJMYSOENPSFJO4BEG2/W+London+West+4+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751912689816-1C8BX60M2GNKCEGQQYR1/W+Lewis+Carrol+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751912689763-GAYSDOLDIEF9XX1T7USO/W+Londom+West+13+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751913096308-QT4FGL4H0VCVAPKVLE8V/W+200+05-20+.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751913167178-G4O2CY7XQ5PFPB39XG85/W+100+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751383589816-JSPA7P2B9L17CENLVPXK/Buckingham+2.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751383590124-FRYYRN1XD9FJI8NES0WE/London+5+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751385953176-QWJSUH9HR88AD8ZBFAZH/Women+at+War+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751386037543-4UFG82SWRCC5SEK5CZ2I/London+Horses.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751830436630-CXKIX6FRTVQUJCIQAVLT/Big+Ben+Eye+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751830437816-EMUTBM8CRTJVUDQCQJKK/Dragon+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751830439843-JXR8BL55TR2EFCBMWQ2L/Tra+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751830440349-NUCE0JGBZA1KUQBRPUI3/Trafalger+Square+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751901914337-W7E1YZNFT239W7VFZU7B/London+Big+Ben+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751901913785-GJGNZHGFPJUZFTUM3NPF/Picadilly+Circus+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751902473273-T4O8BYAPA1C6TYMP9UMU/Guards+in+Training.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751902473623-R1KHUR57NN6JQQWQIOBM/London+20+05-19.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/d2a42ea0-1bbf-4c6c-a9bb-10cfcab10827/Newton+Tomb.JPG UK Trip - London - Sir Issac Newton’s tomb. The list of monarchs, poets, scientists, and other notables who call Westminster their final resting place is impressive. St Edward the Confessor’s tomb sits to the left as you walk through the entrance, it’s impossible to miss. In the poets corner, you will find Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare. The Lady Chapel includes Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots, if you know the confrontational history of these sisters, you can’t help but see the irony in them resting eternally next to each other. The memorials built to people remembered today are no where near the grand and over the top opulence as those of centuries ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e4faa287-2edb-4716-b586-40810a789154/W+Hawking+Tomb+05-20.JPG UK Trip - London - There are markers everywhere of the distinguished people in the tombs below. In the south transept you will find the Poet’s corner, where great writers are group together. After eavesdropping on a guide, this started by accident, when Edmund Spenser’s request to be buried near Geoffrey Chaucer was granted, and a tradition was born. You can look for Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning, and Lewis Carroll. In the location of Sir Issac Newton’s tomb, pictured above, near the choir, you will find the scientists; Stephen Hawking, Darwin, Faraday, and others. One of the guides nearby said, ‘Charles Darwin wanted to be put to rest here and left alone. Unfortunately, his stone is in the aisle and people walk over him all day.’ There is also a Musicians aisle, many here were past organists of the abbey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751386661477-XCN14XH7NYTFE699ISOI/London+West+9+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751386663271-UGGDWDE5UE3CKG1WA17X/West+6.JPG UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751918196101-1FBUA4S11521JOZNLPF0/W+Outside+05-20+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751918196060-80L4YXNVBY66VAGVAS4T/W+Z2+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751370154131-BVHNCHWUVIEZQNFDO49P/St+Paul+S11+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751371005625-5UOHBJ1ZRKHB7N4CW1MJ/St+Paul+V+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751371006057-QT8Y6YVS9A3ZOKXCUMSF/St+Paul+View+3+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/b6631389-bdac-415a-a55e-86c75a2bec95/W+Glass+4+05-20+.JPG UK Trip - London - If you have read other pages of this blog, you know how much I enjoy stained glass. Is there stained glass in Westminster Abbey? Do you need to ask? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/d2684cf8-a7d1-4405-a873-bca046815c81/St+Paul+S2+05-19+.jpg UK Trip - London - If you go to London, St Paul’s Cathedral has to be on your list. Christopher Wren’s design is amazing to behold, he was determined to crown the church with a dome, instead of a spire, which was unusual for the day. The Galleries, the quire, alter, mosaics, and monuments create one awe inspiring moment after another. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/6544a15a-f565-4731-8c85-84d57f4e672b/Window+with+us+flag.JPG UK Trip - London - As you look around the American Memorial Chapel, you will find easter eggs to the Americans, such as the flags in this window. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/ce19f970-8cbb-4a54-b9c0-8d49563d2d33/W+London+West+9+05-20.jpg UK Trip - London - It was usual for a great cathedral to have a quire, or choir on our side of the ocean. The quire contains the cathedra, or Bishop’s throne. The word cathedral became defined as the seat of the bishop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/b9a1a6b2-cc60-4afc-9157-00b593118d7a/West+5.JPG UK Trip - London - Where to start, Westminster Abbey is an active church, which opens it’s doors to the public to explore it’s wonders. At 11am and 3pm, visitors are asked to stand where they are in silence and invited to say a short prayer. More than 3,000 people are buried or have memorials in the abbey. Thirty nine monarchs have been crowned here. Henry III rebuilt the abbey with long transepts so as many people as possible could attend. We started with the Queens Diamond Jubilee Gallery, which opened in 2018, located high above the arches, choir, and nave of the chapel. I wish I can show you a bunch of great pictures, but again, no photography was allowed in the gallery. You will find hundreds of treasures spanning a 1000 years of history. There are funeral effigies, original plans for the abbey, Henry VII’s death mask, and mannequins dressed in period dress. The view from the gallery is cool, you can look down on the abbey floor below or across for a view of some of the workshops. If you look, you will find Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s marriage license on the wall. You will also find one of the early copies of the Magna Carta. If you’re pressed for time, you can skip this gallery and not diminish your experience, but if you can, take it in. It’s well worth it. https://www.notesfromaprairiedog.com/uk-trip/lesson-learned-departure monthly 0.5 2025-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751935118111-V6QZM0PST50EUHK6RIAK/English+Break+05-11+.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751935117299-7CG9RTB9WG4GTB2DWQ8I/English+Cookies+05-16+.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751935120912-G32VVE3KJ5YJZMHFV2D5/Londom+Meal.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751998539836-PVAPBWZZMJQDEIVS535M/Waldrof+Snack+V3+05-19+.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751935591435-TGGB7KXHDXLITAS8USZR/English+Church+2+05-11+.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751935591259-X38FC1JRRYU9LSBXRARF/English+Church+3+05-11+.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751935595455-INQYBFEI9JGZ37YJHBK5/English+Scot+Street+05-15+.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751935595240-LS52VBKOJL6B6Z9ZG94Q/English+Scottish+Castle+05-14+.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751934269580-C8870HO00NUT2DSQBG8U/Clarence+Pub+interior+05-20+-+Copy.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751934270556-G0YLIAWAEEUDJZJ6BF6S/Golden+Loin+05-13++-+Copy.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751934273628-8YXDNOOW2N40S7GR0OBP/Pub+2+-+Copy.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751934274270-LSAEJBF9BPZCHPU8PP22/Pub+Dolfin+-+Copy.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751934278032-Y362P6YOACG91I3LCDX3/Pub+Interior+05-20+-+Copy.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751934277372-GWDUQAZ7I2HHQUATKW2E/Pub+Narrow+05-18++-+Copy.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751934279679-YH1IIXITATL6LO580JS8/Red+Loin+Pub+05-20+-+Copy.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/1751934326239-WVKDF2NDI2XVW9SGU06L/Pub+2+05-20+.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/5d6c922e-3d33-4a8d-b173-028679d5b4c1/London+Meal+2+05-09+.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure - Meals. I don’t think we had a bad meal. Our favorites turned out to be the English classics: Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, and Steak and Ale pie. There isn’t the salad selection I’m used to in the US, but you can find them. Sometimes you just want some greens. The macarons were fantastic, and the desserts were great. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/aa18adf6-5561-41dc-a5ef-c3a95d28cf75/Coach+and+Horses+Pub+05-20.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure - Pub Culture I enjoyed the pubs in the UK. It was a little strange walking up to these establishments and seeing people gathered outside with their pints, where in the US, unless there was outdoor seating, you wouldn’t be allowed to leave the building with a full glass. The talk was always friendly, we got to know a couple of bartenders, and we even got into a soccer match (sorry, football), with the crowd in one place. In addition to meals, we used the pubs as a rest stop in the middle of the day. The pubs were a perfect atmosphere to sip something cold and talk about what we just did and where we planned to go next. By the way, my wife enjoyed most of the ciders she tried. Of the ales, I did not like Old Speckled Hen. When I ordered it, explaining to the bartender my search for the best English ale, she saved me by explaining it is a very traditional bitter beer, and offered me a taste. If I went ahead and ordered it without knowing, I would have wasted most of a pint. Fullers and Neck Oil, ended up being my go to ales. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/e0a87324-334b-4845-8e16-fcd5e7e08ae7/Coventry+Garden+05-21+.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure - Miscellaneous There were a lot of places we simply walked through and enjoyed, but didn’t include because I thought this blog was a little too long as it is. Covent Garden is a section of town near where we stayed. No cars allowed, there are shops for the perfect souvenir or fashion statement, street performers, a boatload of dining options, and an atmosphere, (at least when we were there), which was hopping. In Edinburgh, we walked the Royal Mile and explored sights we simply took a fancy too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/032baf30-91d9-4137-99c2-a46997da4940/Toast+Goodbye+05-21+.jpg UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure - Time to say goodbye and go home. The trip took many hours of planning, to which I thank my wife, who is a wizard at pulling these things together. I can only think of one, ‘not great’ review. After leaving Scotland and traveling back to London, we had a stop over in Scarborough, because we didn’t want to do all the driving in one shot, and stayed at the Norbreck Hotel. The hotel has an ocean view if your on the correct side, but to be honest, this place has seen better days. It was okay for a one night pit stop, but not much longer. It advertises parking, but don’t be duped, there are about 8 spaces, which fill up quick. The hotel gives you a card to put in your windshield and you can park on the public street by the hotel. GOOD LUCK. There were no spaces, at all. We were in a slight panic, wondering what to do when a DHL driver noticed us circling for a spot and said if we could wait until he made the delivery, we could have his spot, the man saved us. Scarborough itself, even for a coastal town was a bit dreary, but we were only there a very short time and may have caught it on a bad day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67561588770a6c6ea783b265/f5fc771e-1fa5-442e-b124-0a5b3302e7b2/English+Portiat+05-21.JPG UK Trip - Lesson Learned / Odds and Ends/Departure - The last day, we had a morning to kill before heading to the airport. We walked to the London Portrait Gallery. It was close to the hotel and free admission. It’s as advertised, mostly portraits of notable people, along with some sculptures and other items. I wouldn’t say to put it high on your list, unless it’s your thing, but it was a cheap way to kill a couple of hours. 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