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Going on a trip - 11/2/2008 11:30:26 PM
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bzirk
Posts: 2848
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From: Where the deer and antelope play
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to the UK next year, and I was wondering who has been there or is there and has some advice. The specifics are that I'm going for the month of August, and I'll be attending the Eisteddfod and the Edinburgh International Festival. I'll also make it down to Maidstone and to Merthyr Tydfil. Other than that, I have no plans. So I'm curious if there are places I ought to see. Any input is very greatly appreciated.
Oh, and if anyone wants to post their travel plans and ask for input, go ahead.
Moderators: I hope this is the right folder for this topic.
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may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/3/2008 12:28:57 PM
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bzirk
Posts: 2848
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From: Where the deer and antelope play
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Yes, I have relatives there. My maiden name is Barham and I'll be visiting some of my namesakes in that village. My family has visited them before. My mother's maiden name is Thomas and her grandfather came from Merthyr and there are still some relatives there as well. She has visited them before, but I never have. She and I are actually going on this trip together.
We prefer to fly in and out of Gatwick. As for London, we'll see some things, but we're going to concentrate on areas outside of London. I would love to go to the Peak District and the areas around it.
If you have any suggestions for a cathedral or castle, let me know. I'm pretty open to suggestion and so is my mom. It helps that we're going for a month.
I have heard about the Eisteddfod all of my life. My great grandfather and my great, great grandfather and so on and so forth participated in it. I've also heard a lot about the EIF for years, so I would like to go to that as well. My mother is into this kind of thing as well.
We also like to hang out in the local pubs. Sorry if that sounds unspiritual to any Americans, but the pubs there are not like the bars here. They seem to be more of a community gathering than the ones here where it's almost entirely about getting drunk or picking someone up.
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may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/3/2008 1:08:25 PM
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crankius
Posts: 4493
Joined: 4/12/2005
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You will be much more north than we were. It sounds like so much fun! I'm glad you and your mom are going together.
Here are some places we liked:
Stratford Upon Avon
Warwick Castle
Salisbury Cathedral
Blenheim Palace
In London, we loved the Cabinet War Rooms, and then the usual London stuff, like St. Pauls and the Tower. We also enjoyed seeing anything Roman, like old Roman walls, etc.
When you get back, please drop in and share about some of your favorite places.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/3/2008 1:10:03 PM
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manda59
Posts: 6183
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
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I would SO recommend Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born, lived and died. It's a beautiful picturesque town, with many places of historic interest, plus it's the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company - which means that if you planned in advance and booked tickets, you could go and see a play while you were there. It's also only a short drive from the magnificent
Warwick Castle
Definitely all well worth a visit, and easily accessible by road or rail.
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"Manda is right"
mvic, January 2009
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/3/2008 1:13:39 PM
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manda59
Posts: 6183
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
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quote:
ORIGINAL: crankius
Here are some places we liked:
Stratford Upon Avon
Warwick Castle
Salisbury Cathedral
Blenheim Palace
I am so glad you put Stratford! It's interesting, I was busy putting up a post extolling Stratford, then my browser froze, then it crashed, and then when I tried to post it, it had logged me out, so I had to do it all again, lol, and by the time I'd posted it, you'd put this!
Excellent that you like Salisbury Cathedral too - that's where we went for my birthday this year (we live about an hour south of there). They had a flower festival in the Cathedral, and it made everything even more beautiful.
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"Manda is right"
mvic, January 2009
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/3/2008 1:14:58 PM
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manda59
Posts: 6183
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bzirk
We also like to hang out in the local pubs. Sorry if that sounds unspiritual to any Americans, but the pubs there are not like the bars here. They seem to be more of a community gathering than the ones here where it's almost entirely about getting drunk or picking someone up.
You would LOVE The Dirty Duck pub in Stratford?! Good food, and also a renowned "hanging out" place for actors!
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"Manda is right"
mvic, January 2009
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/3/2008 1:26:59 PM
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crankius
Posts: 4493
Joined: 4/12/2005
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I can't imagine it being more beautiful! Sounds like a very wonderful way to spend a birthday.
When we went, I had only ever lived out west in the U.S. (not on the coast), so I was very unaccustomed to seeing everything so green and pretty. Everything to me there was beautiful! Even the most common things.
The day we went to Blenheim was so fun. We had no plans or commitments to be anywhere, so we got bus tickets and hit the road. We mostly enjoyed the grounds around the palace, and rented a row boat and chased swans, and just thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
It must be so fun to live there. The history, for an American, is overwhelming! Here, if something is 200 years old, we think it is old--but of course, it is actually very recent.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/9/2008 1:36:35 AM
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Roberta_
Posts: 7421
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: East Bay Area
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ohhh, I wanna go!
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/10/2008 3:34:59 PM
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bzirk
Posts: 2848
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Where the deer and antelope play
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I think I'm going to buy the 30 day British Heritage Pass so I can get into just about any grounds we want to visit. It seems like a good deal.
_____________________________
may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/11/2008 12:47:02 PM
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Roberta_
Posts: 7421
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: East Bay Area
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Hi WildRose!
I'm guessing that you found the English harder to understand than you thought?
I found that they were easier to understand than I thought. Then again, the only English that I've talked to live in America.
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/11/2008 2:39:31 PM
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Wild-Rose
Posts: 426
Joined: 1/11/2006
From: Upstate NY
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quote:
I'm guessing that you found the English harder to understand than you thought?
I was poking fun at our Brit friend Manda.
In the 70's Hubby and I were in the military stationed in Germany. Our trip to London was a lot of fun. There are a lot of vocabulary words that are different and you have to get used to the accent. After a while your ears get "tuned in".
We were standing in the middle of the sidewalk with a handful of coins trying to figure out how much we had and a nice gentleman stopped and helped us. Once you learn the money and the travel (buses and taxis) things go more smoothly.
Enjoy your trip! Germany was also a lovely country to visit. And I got paid to be there!
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Wild-Rose
Rejoice that your name is written in heaven. Luke 10:20
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RE: Going on a trip - 11/12/2008 9:34:01 AM
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manda59
Posts: 6183
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bzirk
BTW, we're renting (or perhaps purchasing) a car for the trip.
Over here, we'd say "hiring" a car.
When you say you might be buying a car - how will that work out? Will you buy it, tax it, insure it and then leave it with your relatives?
quote:
So I won't be riding the train or busses as much although we'll park the car and mostly ride in London.
Over here we don't say "riding" the train/bus but "taking" or "catching". We really only ride horses or bicycles here  (or the tram, in the old days!)
Personally, I think the best way to see London is to walk, or catch a bus. The tube is quick (usually) but dirty and smelly and you're stuck underground rather than being up there soaking up all that London is.
quote:
Frankly, we don't plan to spend lots of time there since we've both seen it and want to get out into the country.
"Seen it?" lol - just curious, how much time have you spent in London overall and what have you seen? I've been to London umpteen times (used to go to college there too) and certainly wouldn't say that I'd "seen it". There's also a fair bit of London that isn't city as well - eg Kew Gardens, Richmond Park, that are well worth seeing. Hampton Court Palace is also marvellous.
quote:
I'm not sure how I will take to driving over there. I'm not really afraid of doing it, but I am wondering what the pitfalls will be. If there are any Americans who have made this transition, I'd love to hear from you. I'd also love to hear from any Brits who have words of wisdom as well.
Drive on the correct side of the road.  Buying a copy of our Highway Code might help too, so that you understand the road signs etc.
_____________________________
"Manda is right"
mvic, January 2009
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