Planning for my trip to UK in October 12th 2018.
Thinking of the future trip coming up shortly keeps me engaged in thoughts of how things will turn out and also planning for the luggage to carry with me and what all the documents I need to take with me. Something to look forward to and this triggers my thinking in a positive way. Talking to Myrna gave me a lots of ideas and I am excited about this group tour and later our own tour. I am doing it when I am still capable of going around physically.
life is so uncertain
enjoy it at your best
the power, wealth does not mean
anything when one leaves this world
so why not take action now and enjoy
at this present moment.
I am going to stop here my writing till I return from UK after the tour.
Departing from SFO on 12th October Friday with Virgin Atlantic flight # VS20 I was happy that the flight was in time and I arrived at London -Heathrow LHR, GBR Termainal 3. As my friends from LA were arriving about 1 hour earlier they could come to terminal 3 from terminal 5 by train and waited form me. As I was looking around for any sign of their presence I heard my name called and looked at the other side Angie was there. We had not before but we saw each othre's picture and hence she recognized me. I looked at her witha surprise look and asked "Are you Angie?"
Thinking of the future trip coming up shortly keeps me engaged in thoughts of how things will turn out and also planning for the luggage to carry with me and what all the documents I need to take with me. Something to look forward to and this triggers my thinking in a positive way. Talking to Myrna gave me a lots of ideas and I am excited about this group tour and later our own tour. I am doing it when I am still capable of going around physically.
life is so uncertain
enjoy it at your best
the power, wealth does not mean
anything when one leaves this world
so why not take action now and enjoy
at this present moment.
I am going to stop here my writing till I return from UK after the tour.
Roman Bath
Today, October 17, 2018 is our sixth day of the tour of England. Memories flashed back of the days of our college days when Shakespeare’s work had been one of our favorite literary discussions.
Our tour bus proceeding toward the charming city of Bath passed by green fields of country side where cows were busy grazing. The solitary countryside hardly any human being out in the field gave me a feeling of nostalgic moments. Those who sat at the window side could click pictures to preserve those views forever take those with us. When we reached the city of Bath, founded by the Romans as
a thermal spa we were given tickets to get inside the Bath Abbey.
The Bath Abbey was the center of attraction, once inside the
moving images caught my attention by surprise. On the screen the Roman men and
women dressed in olden Roman robes were seen engaged in their usual daily
activities . I felt as if we were standing right with those figures taking part
of their activities.
At the other side of the Abbey I stood looking down the pond water below
from second floor level. The view had
some similarity with those of Mughol Empire
structure lay out in India.
History of
Bath is related with the natural hot springs. The city was founded on it by an
age tribe called Dobunni who first erected
a shrine at this site in honor of goddess Sulis. People believed Goddess to
possess healing power. After invasion of Britain during 43 AD the Romans built
a religious spa on the site. It later turned into socialistic center later
known as Aquae Sullis. After the withdrawal of the Romans in early 5th
century the baths were neglected. It was rebuilt in 18th century and
it is now a center of tourists spots and delights. The Georgian architecture of the 18th century is indeed a city, worthy of admiration.
About three
fourth of a mile away from it was Jane Austen museum, which was one of my
anxiously awaited one in our bucket lists. My friends Myrna and Angie were also equally excited. We had a quick bite at one of the popular tea houses and
rushed toward the museum. Lots of stalls/shops displaying interesting products
we passed by. We were tempted to stop by but not wasting time was our resolution, and walked toward the museum with quick steps .By the time got there we were exhausted because of the higher slops leading to the museum. When we got to the
museum immediate attention were the two figures standing at the entrance of the
museum. .
We wish we could go inside and dressed we walked back
to our tour bus waiting for us.
Nostalgic memories of younger days reading Jane Ausen’s books “Pride and
Prejudice” and “Emma”came along flashing by. She was one of my favorite authors
along with Pearl S Buck, Emily Bronte,
Oscar Wilde, William Shakespeare. I came
to know more of her life story which I was not aware of. She was born on 16
December 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire. She was one of eight children of a
clergyman . She started writing when she was a teenager and her brother helped
her in publishing her books anonymously in the beginning. She never got married
and died at the age of 41 on July 18, 1817.
Departing from SFO on 12th October Friday with Virgin Atlantic flight # VS20 I was happy that the flight was in time and I arrived at London -Heathrow LHR, GBR Termainal 3. As my friends from LA were arriving about 1 hour earlier they could come to terminal 3 from terminal 5 by train and waited form me. As I was looking around for any sign of their presence I heard my name called and looked at the other side Angie was there. We had not before but we saw each othre's picture and hence she recognized me. I looked at her witha surprise look and asked "Are you Angie?"
" Yes I am" We greet each other by hugging as if we knew each other for a long time.
Myrna is waiting the other side and I came to buy food also.
So we walked toward Myrna who was sitting on a chair surrounded by their luggage. So happy to see her and after buying food we inquired how to travel to our Doub e tree Hotel by Hilton London Islington. 60 Pentonville Road.N1 9LA
Once we go the information we took train paying L6 each ticket we could at last reached our hotel walking about half an hour. We had to get out through escalators and my freind Myran had quite a lot of trouble taking care of her multiple pieces of her luggage. Once we were in hotel we got ourselves settled and after shower we felt good and refreshed. Evening time we had to meet our tour manger for a welcome drink and introduction with a breifting of the tour of the Southern England. Later she gave a walking tour of the nearby streets where one can find good eating places.
Fourth day October 15, we checked out of the hotel and we were on way to Windsor Castle. It was drizzling and we had to use our umbrellas throughout the tour. Windsor Castle is a favorite place of the queen and she was during our visit at Windsor Castle. We went inside the complex and the St George's church the royal tombs and its magnificent ceiling. The view from the Castle was astounding. No doubt why the queen wants to spend more time here. It is the oldest inhabited castle in the world. It is the home of 39 monarchs in the 1000 years. We toured the splendidly furnished state apartments where the royal art collections were displayed.
Driving toward Stradford-Upon-Avon we passed throug the market town which was near the rive Avon.This town is best known as the birth place William Shakespeare, England's greatest poet and playwright. We passed through Anne Hathways' cottage on way to Shakespear's birth place on Henley street. At the hotel Mercure Stradford Shakespeare, Chapel Street, Stratford Upon Avon, UK,we checked in and had dinner together and including morning breakfast at the hotel.
On Day 5th day Tuesday we left Stratford-Upon-Avon . Driving through the outstanding natural beauty of Cotswold region we captured the view of small town of Cotswold yellow stones and its prosperous thriving wool trade. Then visiting the birthplace of Winston Churchill, the Bienhein Palace I learned more about him I never knew before. This is a home to the 12th duke and duchess of Malborough It is a masterpiece of the 18th century Baroque architecture. It was built in celebration of the victory of English over French at the battle of Bienhein. It is now World Heritage of UNESCO site situated at 2000 acres of land with astounding gardens around the palace.
After enjoying the tour inside the palace adorned with its art collections display we took a tour of the site on a trolley. We did have in-depth idea and glimpse of the place while the driver explained along the way.
Next our travel toward the university of Oxford was another milestone. The Oxford University is the second oldest university in the world. The university's ivy clad colleges are famous for architectural beauty and Christ Church where class room scenes in the Harry Potter movies were shot. We returned to Stratford-upon-Avon and had the evening at leisure. At night we had dinner along with cruise at the river Avon. Next day leaving the birth place of Shakespeare I felt a tinge of sadness and with we could spend more time here. The memories flashed back of our college days when we had our literary discussions about Shakespeare's work.
During our visit to Bath Abbey and on the way back we stopped in the small Somorset town Gletonsbury medieval Abbey where legendary king Arthur was buried. Now this bohemian town is famous for its annual music festival. We trave led toward Exeter for our overnight stay at Buckerell Lodge, Topsham Road, Exeter, Uk.
Our Day 7 began with a journey along the picturesque Cornish coastline. We could view the famous St Michaels Mount. The spectacular castle is perched upon a granite crag. It was built during 14th century. We took local boats to the island some of us strolled around below the castle and took pictures with background of the castle. later came back to the main land taking boat, then our bus stopped at the trendy artists' town St Ives before heading back to Exeter.
On the 8th day, Friday travelling toward Stonehenge we stopped by the Salisbury Cathedral where we could see the copy of magna carta signed by king John and layeand barons in 1215. Some of our tourists in our group took a tour of the Cathedral. Angie and I opted not to join the tour and spent our time in the cathedral. We had lunch at the Cathedral cafe and did some shopping inside the gift shop.
After Salisbury Cathedral we proceeded toward Stonehenge, named as UNESCO world heritage site. It is the most mysterious monument in the world and located in the middle of Salisbury plains. It is believed that the first stone was placed 5000 years ago the rest completed 1400 years later. Its construction still defies belief. Then we returned to London at Double Tree Hotel where we started our tour of Southern England.
s
. .
So we walked toward Myrna who was sitting on a chair surrounded by their luggage. So happy to see her and after buying food we inquired how to travel to our Doub e tree Hotel by Hilton London Islington. 60 Pentonville Road.N1 9LA
Once we go the information we took train paying L6 each ticket we could at last reached our hotel walking about half an hour. We had to get out through escalators and my freind Myran had quite a lot of trouble taking care of her multiple pieces of her luggage. Once we were in hotel we got ourselves settled and after shower we felt good and refreshed. Evening time we had to meet our tour manger for a welcome drink and introduction with a breifting of the tour of the Southern England. Later she gave a walking tour of the nearby streets where one can find good eating places.
Fourth day October 15, we checked out of the hotel and we were on way to Windsor Castle. It was drizzling and we had to use our umbrellas throughout the tour. Windsor Castle is a favorite place of the queen and she was during our visit at Windsor Castle. We went inside the complex and the St George's church the royal tombs and its magnificent ceiling. The view from the Castle was astounding. No doubt why the queen wants to spend more time here. It is the oldest inhabited castle in the world. It is the home of 39 monarchs in the 1000 years. We toured the splendidly furnished state apartments where the royal art collections were displayed.
Driving toward Stradford-Upon-Avon we passed throug the market town which was near the rive Avon.This town is best known as the birth place William Shakespeare, England's greatest poet and playwright. We passed through Anne Hathways' cottage on way to Shakespear's birth place on Henley street. At the hotel Mercure Stradford Shakespeare, Chapel Street, Stratford Upon Avon, UK,we checked in and had dinner together and including morning breakfast at the hotel.
On Day 5th day Tuesday we left Stratford-Upon-Avon . Driving through the outstanding natural beauty of Cotswold region we captured the view of small town of Cotswold yellow stones and its prosperous thriving wool trade. Then visiting the birthplace of Winston Churchill, the Bienhein Palace I learned more about him I never knew before. This is a home to the 12th duke and duchess of Malborough It is a masterpiece of the 18th century Baroque architecture. It was built in celebration of the victory of English over French at the battle of Bienhein. It is now World Heritage of UNESCO site situated at 2000 acres of land with astounding gardens around the palace.
After enjoying the tour inside the palace adorned with its art collections display we took a tour of the site on a trolley. We did have in-depth idea and glimpse of the place while the driver explained along the way.
Next our travel toward the university of Oxford was another milestone. The Oxford University is the second oldest university in the world. The university's ivy clad colleges are famous for architectural beauty and Christ Church where class room scenes in the Harry Potter movies were shot. We returned to Stratford-upon-Avon and had the evening at leisure. At night we had dinner along with cruise at the river Avon. Next day leaving the birth place of Shakespeare I felt a tinge of sadness and with we could spend more time here. The memories flashed back of our college days when we had our literary discussions about Shakespeare's work.
During our visit to Bath Abbey and on the way back we stopped in the small Somorset town Gletonsbury medieval Abbey where legendary king Arthur was buried. Now this bohemian town is famous for its annual music festival. We trave led toward Exeter for our overnight stay at Buckerell Lodge, Topsham Road, Exeter, Uk.
Our Day 7 began with a journey along the picturesque Cornish coastline. We could view the famous St Michaels Mount. The spectacular castle is perched upon a granite crag. It was built during 14th century. We took local boats to the island some of us strolled around below the castle and took pictures with background of the castle. later came back to the main land taking boat, then our bus stopped at the trendy artists' town St Ives before heading back to Exeter.
On the 8th day, Friday travelling toward Stonehenge we stopped by the Salisbury Cathedral where we could see the copy of magna carta signed by king John and layeand barons in 1215. Some of our tourists in our group took a tour of the Cathedral. Angie and I opted not to join the tour and spent our time in the cathedral. We had lunch at the Cathedral cafe and did some shopping inside the gift shop.
After Salisbury Cathedral we proceeded toward Stonehenge, named as UNESCO world heritage site. It is the most mysterious monument in the world and located in the middle of Salisbury plains. It is believed that the first stone was placed 5000 years ago the rest completed 1400 years later. Its construction still defies belief. Then we returned to London at Double Tree Hotel where we started our tour of Southern England.
s
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| Jane Austen museum at Bath. |
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| At Buckingham Palace with our tour manager. |
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