AA Flight 106, Boeing 777 tail number N750AN
Packed up, had brunch at Eveready Diner close to Southeast. Caught 1:14pm train to GCT. Transferred to GCT-JFK bus, a Super Shuttle. Got to JFK AA Terminal, checked in and checked bags. Cleared security, bought water, and had beers at Bobby Van's Steakhouse & Grill. Got on AA Flight 106 to London's Heathrow, scheduled for 7:30pm departure, into the air at 8:30 for a 7 hour flight.
AA Flight 106, Boeing 777 tail number N750AN
Landed London's Heathrow, through Terminal 3, cleared customs and immigration. Walked to Underground, bought Oyster cards (pay-as-you-go London transport). Rode the Picadilly line to Green Park, transferred to Jubilee line and rode to Canning Town, transferred to DLR (Docklands Light Rail) and rode to Prince Regent station. Arrived at Aloft Hotel at about noon, checked in and unpacked. After short rest, looked up Bailey's Fish and Chips (TripAdvisor #11 rating), rode DLR to Tower Gateway, transferred to Underground District line toward Wimbledon, got off at West Brompton, and walked to Bailey's. It wasn't a restaurant, but more of a Take-Away place with just a few counter seats. We got there before 5pm so it was just 5 pounds for the special. Caught a bus heading for Westminster, and rode within a short walk to Parliament Square, past Westminster Abbey, and a statue of Nelson Mandela. Walked past Big Ben clock tower, across Westminster Bridge, to the London Eye, but it was too busy and we were too tired to wait, so we walked to the Waterloo station, caught the Jubilee line to Canning Town, DLR to the hotel.
Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben (clock tower)
Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey, across the Thames from the London Eye
London Eye, near sundown
Slow start. Had soup and sandwich specials at the Aloft "Fede" restaurant. Rode to Tower Gateway, walked around the Tower of London, crossed the Tower Bridge, walked past the HMS Belfast, and the replica of Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind, Shakespeare's Globe Theater (they were about to start a showing of "Midsummer Night's Dream"), Christopher Wren's house, then crossed the Millenium Footbridge back north of the Thames to St. Paul's cathedral. Visited Marks and Spencer shop but decided to have dinner first, ate at "Ye Olde London" (fish and chips, again). Returned to M&S, walked to Bank station for DLR, rode to hotel.
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Sir Walter Raleigh's 'Golden Hind'
Shakespeare's Globe Theater
St. Paul's Cathedral, from the Millenium Footbridge
Christopher Wren's house
St. Paul's cathedral
Ate breakfast at Aloft's Cafe (5-pound vouchers bought bagels/scones, juice, yogurt). DLR was not running Sept 7&8, caught replacement bus to Canning Town, rode north to Stratford, caught Central line to Tottenham Court Road station, walked to British Museum. Stayed at Museum until closing time. Stopped for coffee at Starbucks across the street fromt the main gate, then chose Spaghetti House Sicilian Avenue restaurant near Holborn station, I had spaghetti, Sharon had pizza. Rode from Holborn back to Stratford, caught Jubilee line to Canning Town, waited for Becton bus for very long time, rode to hotel (DLR Prince Regent Bus/Train Station).
Riding the London Underground
Rosetta Stone
Lion's head
Chess set
Gold jewelry
Easter island Moai
Jade snake, Mexico
Cat mummies, from Egypt
The Portland Vase, amphora in translucent dark cobalt blue and opaque white cameo glass.
Front of British Museum
Ate breakfast again at Aloft's Cafe. There was a big Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) convention at the ExCel center, which meant the ExCel and the Aloft were now inside a security zone, with a peaceful demonstration outside the temporary fence, with hundreds of vested police and security officers. I rode the bus to London City Airport and rented a Hertz car, a Kia Cee'd, 4-dr mini-wagon, but with an automatic and lots of nice features. I tried to get in at the Aloft, but was told to try to West access, which also turned me away. Eventually, Sharon had to move the suitcases to the Prince Regent bus stop where I met her. Loaded the bags into the car, set up the GPS and left London, bound for the southeast.
Drove past Canterbury (did not see), to Dover, where we got out to walk along the white cliffs, and saw France across the channel. Took the coastal route to Hastings thinking the Seven Sisters formation was nearby, it was not. We drove into Hastings and stopped at Paradise Grill where Sharon ordered more Fish and Chips, I got a cheeseburger, both Take-Away. We drove to the town of Battle, to our B&B Claverton Country House Hotel, ate our F&C and burger in the room. Best toiletries, "Archive" brand.
The white cliffs of Dover, and the english channel ferry port.
Cliffs of Dover, looking northeast.
Our Bed and Breakfast, the Claverton Country House Hotel
Ate breakfast (first "english" breakfast) at hotel. Delicious, with brown sauce, homemade jams, yogurt, bread. Drove to Crowhurst with some local directions, stopped at the St George parish church ancient yews. Located the Seven Sisters area, parked car and walked 1.5 miles to the Coast Guard houses to view the SS, saw bulls and sheep, collected some rocks, got caught in rain on walk back to car. Changed clothes as possible, then drove west through Portsmouth, Southampton, to Halse (near Taunton), stayed at The New Inn (Adam and Tracey). Saw pub clients playing skittles, ate supper (Sharon: steak stew with suet; Doug: steak burger and fries, olives/bread).
Sharon by an ancient yew tree, St. George Parish in Crowhurst
Another ancient yew tree, St. George Parish
Ruins of early church next to St. George
Curious cows on our hike through Seven Sisters Country Park, Sussex
Cuckmere Haven beach, Seven Sisters cliffs
Seven Sisters cliffs
Breakfast at The New Inn Halse, drove to Widecombe in the Moor (in Dartmoor National Park) for the Fair. Walked the whole grounds, judged/filmed a Ferret race. Watched terriers race to catch lure. Beer tents with music, moor dancing. Ate a sausage roll, bought wood carvings, fudge, candy, "proper" ice cream. Drove back to Halse via Exmoor National Park, saw ponies, pheasants and the tail of a fast-running badger.
Village of Halse, Taunton
Hill in Dartmoor National Park, Devon
Cathedral of the Moors, Widecombe in the Moor, Newton Abbot
Ferret racing outfit, Widecombe Fair
Folk dancers and musicians, taking a break, Widecombe Fair
Thatching demonstration, Widecombe Fair
One of many Vegetable Animal entries in a craft contest, Widecombe Fair
A sheep relaxing, Widecombe Fair
Owl, Widecombe Fair
Dartmoor ponies, Devon
More Dartmoor ponies, on a hill in Devon
Exmoor National Park
Got directions to a launderette in Wiveliscombe, bought detergent and got change. Washed clothes. Headed for Avebury to see Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow, and the Avebury Henge (stone circle). Tried making it to Stonehenge for sunset only to find that they close at 6pm, so we would have to return in the morning. Drove the west fence road and considered hopping the fence to gain access to the site, but didn't do it. Met Rickey and Suven from Washington Univ in Seattle WA. Stayed overnight in Amesbury at The George Hotel, with 600 year old ship timbers acting as posts and beams in the pub. There's also a small aviation museum in the hotel's lobby area. Doug slipped on metal plate and fell. Ceiling of room was sloped and there was a low-hanging chandelier.
The New Inn, in Halse, Taunton
Road toward Wiveliscombe
Silbury Hill, near Avebury, Marlborough
West Kennet Long Barrow, near Avebury, Marlborough
Inside the West Kennet Long Barrow
Avebury Stone Circle
Avebury Stone Circle
Ate breakfast at The George Hotel. Drove to Stonehenge and were about 10th in line and saw Rickey and Suven in line behind us. Took lots of pictures of Stonehenge. Left there and drove south to Salisbury where we parked and walked to the Cathedral, saw the medieval clock (oldest mechanism in the UK and Europe, perhaps the world). Saw the Magna Carta. Drove through Portsmouth area, stopped at Tesco Extra (like WalMart superstore), bought backpack. Drove to Kingley Vale Natural Nature Reserve, hiked through Yew forests and to the ridge line of the hill. Ate many blackberries. Drove to Reading arriving at almost 2am, and stayed at a Premier Inn (Reading Center).
Stonehenge, Salisbury
Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge
The Heel Stone, Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Avon River in Salisbury
Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, home of a copy of the Magna Carta.
Salisbury Cathedral
Old clock in Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral interior
Salisbury street view
Yew tree in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve, Chichester, West Sussex
Yew in Kingley Vale
Meadow in Kingley Vale
Forest in Kingley Vale
Yew in Kingley Vale
Yew in Kingley Vale
Blackberries grow all through Kingley Vale, delicious!
Slept to about 10am. Ate the 8.25 pound all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast at Premier Inn. Nice cappucino machine. Drove north to Heacham to try to locate home where Sharon lived as a baby. Stopped at St Mary the Virgin church and met Christina Dean, who explained the historic background of John Rolfe and Pocahontas, his parents are buried in the church, and they have what they believe is Pocahontas' bible. Saw a Mulberry tree that was allegedly planted by Pocahontas. Never did find the home where Sharon lived with her folks, back in 1961-1962. Drove south to Ipswich, stayed at Innocence Rooms http://www.innocencerooms.co.uk/
Heacham Declaration, Heacham, West Norfolk
Heacham, West Norfolk
Pocahontas bible, St. Mary the Virgin church, Heacham
St. Mary the Virgin church, Heacham
Sharon and her folks lived in one of these homes on Hunstanton Rd, in Heacham
Sharon at Heacham
Met Stephen Wrinch owner of Innocence Rooms. Sharon cooked a breakfast. Drove south toward London, stopped at a Sainsbury's near Colchester to stock up on food and beverages. Drove to the Aloft hotel and Sharon checked in while Doug took the car back to London City Airport. Found a screw in the tire, had to fill out an accident report. Took bus back to hotel. Left hotel and rode DLR and Underground (Jubilee line) to Green Park, and walked to Buckingham Palace, through St James Park, past 10 Downing St and the Horse Guard, then down Whitehall Street to Parliament Square, crossed the Thames and rode the London Eye. Bought some sandwiches at a Tesco Express, then boarded the Underground at Westminster station for a return to the hotel.
Buckingham Palace, London
St. James Park Lake, London
Guard at Horse Guards Parade, London
Parliament Street, London
Big Ben clock tower, at night
London at night, from the Eye
Had breakfast at the Aloft Cafe. Rode the DLR across to Greenwich (Cutty Sark station), and walked up the hill to the Royal Observatory. Took pictures on the Meridian line below the fence (not the busy one up top). Toured the Flamsteed house, saw the John Harrison timekeepers and portrait. Saw the transit telescopes and dolphin sundial. Went to Cutty Sark and toured that. Ate fish and chips at The Spanish Galleon restaurant. Went to Visions of the Universe exhibit in the National Maritime Museum. Walked through Greenwich Market which was closing, boarded DLR at Cutty Sark station and rode back to Aloft.
Greenwich Meridian, Royal Greenwich Observatory
Royal Greenwich Observatory, Greenwich
John Harrison's H1 clock at Royal Greenwich Observatory
John Harrison's H1 Marine Timekeeper at Royal Greenwich Observatory
John Harrison's H3 Marine Timekeeper at Royal Greenwich Observatory
John Harrison's H4 Sea Clock at Royal Greenwich Observatory
Inside the bow of Cutty Sark, Greenwich
View of London through a porthole on Cutty Sark
On the deck of Cutty Sark
Doug at the keel of Cutty Sark
Woke at 5am, packed up, checked out at 6:20am, and met taxi for ride to Heathrow. Route took us through prime tourist routes along Thames, past the Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and west through Kensington to Heathrow. Checked bags. Turned in the Oyster cards, exchanged money, cleared security, bought water and bath supplies at Boots pharmacy, boarded plane for 10:30am flight, departed 45 minutes late. Watched movies on flight, arrived 2pm. Took 2.5hrs from gate arrival to get to GCT, connected to MetroNorth for a 6pm arrival at Southeast.