Welcome loyal blog readers near and far. First, let me say it is an honor to be able to post my very own entry. Missy and I would like to share a few tips of valuable notes from our 8-day adventure. Eu não estarei escrevendo este no português como pedido por Patrick e por Phil.

Tips for travel to the McNeils’ . . .
1. Mind the gap – This term can be confusing. It means not to trip when entering the Tube but can be applied to many aspects of daily travel.
2. Look right whenever you think to look left – British traffic officials apparently recognize that this is a problem and conveniently label the ground at the crosswalks for you.
3. The signs of camera pictures on highways do not mean tourist photo opportunities – Contrary to what one might think when driving through the streets, a flash shortly following these signs means that you can expect a picture of your speeding and a souvenir ticket in the mail (or two).
4. American coffee (a.k.a. Café Americano) is not what you think, unless if a glass of watered down espresso is your thing – Be forewarned. The funny thing is that you can find a Starbucks on every other corner.
5. The exchange rates are deceiving - Prices appear to be inexpensive. Remember it is double.
6. Litter cans are hard to come by – I advise swinging by a local hardware store and bringing your own. Rubbermaid makes some excellent handle locking and rolling models, which will closely match your carry-on luggage.
7. Train tickets – If you plan to travel any long distances by train, buy tickets at least 7-days in advance. We learned this one the hard way.
8. Beans, Beans, Beans – They are everywhere on everything!
9. Change purses for men are cool – You don’t have to consider yourself a metro-sexual to appreciate this handy accessory for all seasons.
10. Be prepared when you ask for directions – There will be terms that require more thought (i.e. “Follow that lorry, you’ll come to a roundabout and have to take a left (a right is not possible when in a circle) then you’ll see a flyover that you should not take then go to the … )

Our accommodations . . . nestled in the mist of a peaceful yet lively West Hampstead you’ll find Chateau McNeil. This cozy and charming 16th century castle gives the ambiance of a home away from home. We stayed in the Orange Light Room, the most luxurious of the guest rooms. The personable Innkeepers exemplify the word hospitality. We were unable to confirm if they had a TV license (pronounced TEE-v) and fear this may put them out of business in the future if the authorities catch up with them. One slight adjustment was the lack of a shower curtain, Showering requires an certain confidence in your backside.

Our super ambitious planning for the trip somehow turned out resembling a script to a season of the Amazing Race, which got Missy a little frustrated at my repeat jokes of quoting the show at every leg of the journey. The good news is that each time we were the first team to arrive! Day 1 started out with us hitting the ground running. Once landing in Gatwick we dropped off our luggage and headed to Central London, after a stop in a local pub for fish and chips, of course. We took a neat ride on the London Eye, a sort of tourist Ferris wheel, to get a good lay of the land. Next we hiked to Westminster Abbey only to find out it had just closed. We then ran to Buckingham Palace for our next clue (sorry, I couldn’t resist). We suspect the queen was in because the flag was flying. Unfortunately, we had hoped to visit Hampton Court to get our first taste of a castle but found out before arriving that it is closed this week. Later that night we met Andy and Tiffany back at their place and probably looked like zombies.

My sister is studying in Oxford for her last semester and we met up with her and her boyfriend for Day 2 and decided to visit Stonehenge and the ancient city of Bath. Stonehenge was surprisingly easy to get to as it is literally right off the highway. Seeing a wonder estimated to be 5000 years old in spitting distance from a major roadway was somewhat unexpected. The neat thing is that most of the British tourist sites have this personal audio guide/tour stick thing that gives you information at stations as you tour the site. Bath was an amazing little city and we toured the Roman Baths. The excavation site was discovered under some of the city buildings and depicts much of what Roman times were like. Allegedly 80% of the Roman ruins still remain untouched. Amazingly, while the water was green from algae, the springs were still warm to the touch and bubbling from the gasses (oops, I mean Roman Gods). The day ended with a late Italian meal and I experienced perhaps the best tasting calzone I have ever had.

Day 3 we rented a car drove to the southern coast to the city of Brighton, which was an event in and of itself. Driving on the left side of the road and the right side of the car was not the problem, nor was the stick shifting with the left hand. The roads and signs were the most challenging obstacles to overcome. This was also where I learned, the first time, that the camera signs do not mean that you have reached a tourist photo opportunity. We drove throughout Brighton and found a parking deck and could not find the Royal Palace, expecting to see field of grass in front of a massive yard and palace in the distance. Convinced we were totally lost we continued to follow the signs and found out that the Palace was right in the middle of the city! The Palace was impressive with many items on loan from Her Majesty the Queen (probably the 300 year old stuff that just didn’t match her decor). Our original intention was to spend half the day in Brighton and the other half on the Isle of Wight, but sadly we did not anticipate the roads being as indirect and the travel to be as long so we missed the Isle of Wight.

Day 4 with the rental car was a little easier given the roads and direction we were traveling. Unfortunately, we got a later start (probably having the sleep and southern slow pace lifestyle we have become accustom to catching up with us). The plan was to tour the little towns in the area known as The Cotwolds. Each town, with its own unique character, could have been a few days of touring and will definitely be a potential vacation destination in the future. One of the more interesting street signs shown here shows the hustle and bustle of the English countryside lifestyle. The other part of our touring that day involved an unfortunately very quick tour of Blenheim Palace. Because of our late start, we had less time to spend there but did not want to miss it. This Palace was amazing! The countryside surrounding the Palace was magnificent and the interior of the birthplace of W. Churchill was perhaps even more impressive. We definitely could have spent more time.

Later that night, we joined Andy and Tiffany for a very delicious Indian meal. Usually not a fan of very spicy foods, I still enjoy flavor, which this meal had. If you are in London, the Indian restaurants are definitely worth the stop. We also had a brush with a celebrity as we walked into the restaurant just as Stephen Merchant, a writer/actor for the British comedy sitcom “The Office” was just exiting. We suspect he may be stalking Tiffany, as this is the second happenstance encounter. A point to mention if you do find yourself visiting the McNeils, don’t let them walk behind you. Expecting to get direction if we strayed from a more direct path, we later found out that we were part of a sociology experiment (kind of like rats in a maze) whereby Andy and Tiffany wait to see if you figure out where you are going or are simply get yourself lost.

Day 5 was a Saturday. Our original plans involved taking a train to either Scotland or Wales, but alas we planned too late. We highly advise buying tickets for the major city trains at least 7 days in advance but definitely not after 1800 the day prior. Seats are limited and the few that are left end up jumping in price significantly. Well, Scotland will have to wait for The Fro! Our alternative idea was just as enjoyable — we headed to Windsor/Eton to tour the Windsor Castle. This massive structure is a current residence of Her Majesty and home to the largest working Barbie house ever! While there Tiffany requested that Andy and I stand next to a guard and get stiff, I requested that that she never make that request in any other circumstance.

We wrapped up the week around London touring with Andy and Tiffany on Day 6. We visited the British Museum of stolen goods and saw half of Greece and Egypt. From what we understand, the other half remains in Greece and Egypt repectively. St. Paul’s Cathedral was our next stop followed by the Tate Modern Museum.

Day 7 included a trip to the Tower of London, which was surprisingly a very comical and informative tour. Who would have thought the spot of so many beheadings would end up being a tourist filled vacation destination?

The eight days flew by and we had a great time! Thanks Andy and Tiffany for hosting us!

Pictures from our trip…