This trip to England consisted of several days in London and several in the Lake District visiting friends that we met on our Alaska “hippie trip”.

Mon Jul 01, 2024 – Ed Tucker picked us up at 9:00 and dropped us off at the airport for our 11:00am departure. All went well and we got to Detroit on time where we had a 5 hour layover before the flight to London. Since we were flying first class we had access to the Delta Sky Lounge. They had lots of good looking food of all types and drinks (alcoholic and non) available for free. We both had a nice lunch and I had a whiskey and 7up and Lori had a wine. I walked the entire A terminal to get my steps in while Lori was shopping. We boarded on-time but take off was delayed due to a faulty oxygen mask in the bathroom. On the flight I watched “Children of a Lesser God” and “Arthur the King” movies. Both were good. My meal was salmon and Lori had pasta. All very good and too much food. I had a couple of glass of wine before figuring out how the laydown couches worked. They were OK but I didn’t get a lot of sleep.

Tue Jul 02. 2024 – We arrived on time at 7:00am, got our bags and figured out how to use the underground (Tube) public transit system. It worked excellently and we arrived at our hotel at 9:00am. We were pleasantly surprised when they said our room was ready so we could check in. Moved in and then took a 1.5 hour nap before walking around. We walked by Victoria Tower, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, The London Eye, and then walked along the South Bend of the Thames. We had dinner at a pub along the way before getting back to the room at 5:00 and took a 45 minute nap. Relaxed the rest of the day in the room until 10:00. Hoping jet lag is not an issue. We are both tired but enjoying our vacation. Walked a total of 16,000 steps today. We are staying at The Westminster London, Curio Collection by HIlton 30 John Islip Street in a small room with a Queen bed.

Wed Jul 03, 2024 – We headed out walking at 9:00am for the 2.5 mile walk to the start of the Borough Market Walking food tour. The tour started at Ginger Pig where we each had a Sausage Roll and then proceeded to Longboys where we had a delicious pastry. After a 20 minute history walk where we learned facts about the London bridge and the sorted past (long time ago) of the South bank we stopped at Fish! where we had, what else, fish and chips. On to The London Cider House where we all had a glass of hard apple cider before a stop at Neal’s Yard Dairy where we sampled two cheeses. Our guide stated that the UK is the largest producer of cider in the world. Our final stop was at The Boot and Flogger where I had a Pale Ale and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Lori and I then decided to walk to Leadenhall Market which is where a portion of the Harry Potter movie was filmed.  We walked past St. Paul’s Cathedral, then to the Twinings Tea store (a disappointment) on the way to the Discount Theatre tickets kiosk (no shows we wanted to see had tickets available). We found a delightful Brazilian restaurant, Fogo de Chao Soho, where we had the buffet. Walked over 22,000 steps today. STAY: The Westminster London, Curio Collection by HIlton.

Thu Jul 04, 2024 – We started the day by walking to the Ritz London Carlton Hotel to meet our guide for the London’s Palaces and Parliament Tour, a 3 hour walking tour. We saw The Green Park, Buckingham Palace, The Canada Gate, St. James Park, St. James Palace, the statues of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth 1 (parents of Queen Elizabeth II), and the Household Cavalry Museum. We finished the day with an afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason (nice but overpriced!) Walked over 22,000 steps today. STAY: The Westminster London, Curio Collection by HIlton. 

Fri Jul 05, 2024 – Today we had an early access ticket to the Tower of London. Since there was a steady rain we relented and got a taxi instead of walking as we had planned. We watched of opening ceremony before a two hour walking tour of the Tower of London with views of the Tower Bridge. There were a number of beheadings that took place at the Tower of London. Our tour included tickets for a ride on a river boat down the Thames. SInce it was still raining we took this option to get back to our motel. Before heading to the motel we had a light lunch (tapas) at La Gamba by The London Eye. Spent the rest of the afternoon in the hotel room before venturing out to Tattershall Castle for dinner and a comedy show. It was an easy one mile walk from the hotel and is NOT a Castle. Rather it is a retired river boat that has been converted into a floating restaurant with bars, DJ’s, and a comedy room. The meal was so-so but the comedy was excellent. We saw Darren Harriott, Andrea Hubert, Paddy Young, and Thomas Green with the MC being Ben Van Der Velde. Darren was best with Thomas next. Walked back to the hotel at 11:00pm and felt safe the entire time. STAY: The Westminster London, Curio Collection by HIlton.

Sat Jul 06, 2024 – Today we had early access to a “behind the scenes” tour at the Churchill War Rooms. We walked to the tour and arrived in plenty of time. The tour was very interesting with much of the war room containing the actual furniture that was used in the war room. We stopped for a quick bite to eat on the way back to the hotel where we had left our bags. In a moment of weakness Carl suggested taking a taxi to the train station instead of the tube as it would be much less stressful – and it was. Caught the train at 1:15 which was pleasant and uneventful. Walked from the train station to our hotel, checked in, and decided what to do for the evening. We decided on dinner at Cut and Craft, a steak restaurant. The steak was excellent but the atmosphere was loud music with a pounding bass beat. Our timing was perfect for arriving at the Laugh Out Loud Comedy club where we were entertained by Damion Larken (our MC), Lee Kyle, Carl Jones, and Tom Wrigglesworth. Tom Wrigglesworth was the headliner, looked like Aaron Rodgers, and was excellent. STAY:  Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly in York

Sun Jul 07, 2024 –  After sleeping in and having a nice motel breakfast we were met by Harrie and Michael outside our hotel. We first walked to their car to store our luggage and took in Clifford Tower before heading to the Jorvik Viking Center where we had a reservation. Jorvik is the name of York during the Viking era. Lori purchased a Viking era replica coin. After the Jorvik Center we walked around the city on the ancient city walls. We ended the wall walk near the York Minster, the second most powerful church in England. There was a 4:00pm service planned which Lori and Harrie attended while Carl and Michael found a nearby pub to have a pint. After the service we made our way to The Star Inn The City for an excellent dinner. At some point during the day we walked down “The Shambles”, a medieval street lined with timber framed buildings. We then drove to Harrie and Michael’s home in Silsden. STAY: At Michael and Harrie home in Silsden

Mon Jul 08, 2024 – Started the day with a nice breakfast prepared by Michael. Afterwards Carl and Michael suited up and did a hive inspection of Michael’s bees. His set up is different than we use in the US. Similar to Langstroth but with 11 frames and the boxes were close to square. We traveled to Haworth Village where we strolled through an old cemetery before walking down the main street, littered with little shops. We had dinner prepared by Harrie with a main course of lamb with their friends Tony and Ann. STAY: At Michael and Harrie home

Tue Jul 09, 2024 –  Departed with Michael and Harrie for the trip to the condo in Elterwater. We stopped enroute for a tour and cheese tasting Courtyard Dairy located just outside of Settle UK. We purchased 4 different cheeses to have with wine later in our stay. Attached to the cheese shop was Rind Pizza that had unique, flavorful pizza using Courtyard Dairy cheese. Courtyard Dairy buys cheese from the local dairy farmers to help revive the tradition of local cheese all with different flavors. After lunch we finished our drive to the Langdale condo in Elterwater. Michael and Carl took a 1.9 mile hike around the area in the rain, which had been falling steady all day long. STAY: at timeshare condo

Wed Jul 10, 2024 –  After a lazy start to the day we drove to the Grizedale Forest and did a 4.2 mile walk to see different pieces of art. Fortunately it was not raining so it was a delightful walk but the art was just so-so. Returned to our condo and went to the pub to have a pint and watch the England football match. Much to our dismay the game wasn’t for 3 hours. Came back to our condo where we had much trouble getting the “child lock” to disengage so we could use the stove. STAY: at timeshare condo

Thu Jul 11, 2024 – Another lazy start to the day. We hiked from our condo along a trail that I called the Chapel Stile walk in Strava. It was NOT raining for the 3.58 mile walk. A nice jaunt through the English country side littered with sheep everywhere and ancient rock walls defining the pastures. We spent the afternoon in the condo watching tennis before heading out to Ambleside and The Old Stamp House. The dining was excellent, slow and our first Michilin one star restaurant. We added a wine pairing to the meal making for one expensive night. We wouldn’t change a thing. STAY: at timeshare condo