DESTINATION #1 LONDON
The Eye was at the top of Bob's "To Do List" in London. Picture below was taken from the top of the Big Red Tour Bus. We took a Thames riverboat tour waiting for our turn on the Eye.
Oxford, England
I met Barbara Day 20 years ago when she and her husband were visiting Fairfield Plantation. Her charming home, about six miles from Oxford in lovely rolling hills, was our head-quarters while in England. She faithfully met us each time we arrived by train from London, even when we were very late because we mistakenly got on a train headed to Wales.
The tranquil scene below was taken from my upstairs window of the neighbor's farm across the road. Her lovely backyard (right) was Bob's view.
Barbara introduced us to the British pub scene where we had some very interesting fare at The Bear and Ragged Staff. I chose the Game Pot: venison, rabbit, pheasant and partridge in ale jus and rainbow chard. How British is that???
London
FROM THE BIG RED BUS, two icons, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Note the crowds on Regent Street. We brought the sunshine with us from Georgia so the city celebrated by hitting the streets and parks. London fashion was black stockings and mini skirts and interesting variations as shown in the store window.
GREAT BRITAIN
Blenheim Palace
Barbara is a good driver navigating round-abouts and the teeny narrow roads as she delivered us to Churchill's birthplace. After our tour, we had lunch at The Jolly Boatman nestled next to a river with small boats. My choice was a spinach pancake. Yum, yum!
Our three days flew by and it was farewell to Barbara and "Jolly old England".
We took only our small bags with us so we could manage the Metro to Kings Cross Station to board the train to Scotland.
The ubiquitous Pret a Manger is the British McDonald's. Note fashionistas below.
EAST COAST TRAIN TO SCOTLAND
Bob's preplexed expression normal while negotiating the many train stations!
Looking through the train window, a pastoral landscape unfolded until we reached the sea coast.
Passed through the big city of New Castle on our way to change trains at the Hay-market. Loved the quaint names of local towns and castles perched above us.
ITransferring at the Haymarket Station, this charming Scotsman, dressed to attend a wedding, helped us get on the right train for St. Andrews. Note the silver angel on my jacket. It has protected me on all my trips, especially airplane flights.
Saint Andrews
Moira and Richard Burns were our hosts providing us with a comfy bedroom and breakfast in their sunny garden room. I discovered their Scotscraig B&B on the internet.
Bob's curiosity made him order blood sausage and haggis (below) made from kidneys and who knows what all. Moira offered us many other meats and eggs, blackberries, strawberries and kiwi compote, porridge and toast.
The Home of Golf
On a cool Sunday morn, the Burns took us to St. Andrews. The Old Course is closed on Sundays so tourists can walk it.
We were the first out on the Himalaya Putting Course. Well named as it is very hilly.
I
After putting 18 holes we looked for a place for lunch. The old Russel Hotel over-looking the ocean was inviting and so was the menu posted out front. I warmed up with finan haddie soup and Bob had soup with leek, mushrooms, neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes in Scotch brogue.)
Their village tavern was our dinner place and an easy walk from their house.
Wandering around the old part of St. Andrews, we saw old castle ruins and an old graveyard.
A young man offered to take our picture in front of the graveyard. He introduced himself as Bob Kurz who holds the Guinness World Record for marathon golf. He planned on playing 136 holes the next day for another record. When we left the next morning, snow was expected that night.
When I returned home and checked my e-mail, there was one from Bob saying he and his caddy played 45 holes and it was 0 degrees centigrade. He asked his caddy if he wanted to quit as "his teeth were chattering like castanets!" The caddy hesitated, but Bob said: "We are iron men" and they finished all 136 holes!