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Post by doyle1876 on Jan 1, 2008 12:27:31 GMT -6
If you require an Irish travel consultant for that leg of the jaunt, I'd be happy to offer my services.
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Post by harpskiddie on Jan 1, 2008 13:26:12 GMT -6
Elisabeth and Doyle1876:
I've made a note of the two airlines you mentioned, Elisabeth, and will be investigating same in due course. Doyle - you and Wild will be called upon for info as to the fair country, which I must visit at least once.
You'll both be sorry that you volunteered.
Gordie MC
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Post by alfuso on Jan 2, 2008 0:06:22 GMT -6
well, all, my England plans are set in concrete. Leaving on Jan 11. Staying 6 days in London (yeah it's expensive, but I've never been there before and a small inheritance will cushion the blow) then on to Liverpool to see a long time pen-friend (since 1982)and spend about 3 days there.
Be at The Park Plaza Riverbank, 18 Albert Embankment. Directly across from Parliament and a big bell waking us up every hour. Bill has plans for all these museums. The only one I am really interested in right now is the War Museum. Give me things that go boom and clank and I am a happy trooper.
Dunno if I shall ever be able to afford to return, so London is my focus. I am too old and set in my ways to go on the cheap, do B&B etc. I try to pander myself anymore. Especially since I gotta return to work on the 25th.
alfuso
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Post by elisabeth on Jan 2, 2008 2:27:59 GMT -6
Too late to wish you bon voyage, but I hope you have a great trip.
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Post by alfuso on Jan 2, 2008 3:42:52 GMT -6
Too late to wish you bon voyage, but I hope you have a great trip. I made an oops. It's Jan 11 I am leaving. So you can bon a voyage later. whee! alfuso
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Post by elisabeth on Jan 2, 2008 7:14:31 GMT -6
Great! Have fun. And if there's any London info you need between now and then, do let me know ...
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Post by harpskiddie on Jan 2, 2008 12:10:34 GMT -6
Linda:
Bon Voyage, anyway [is that appropriate when you're flying?]. My knowledge of London is limited, and I'm sure that you will hit all the high spots. A couple you might miss, unless you take the time to explore, and which you definitely should NOT MISS, especially being a military-oriented person:
The Changing of the Household Cavalry Guard at the Horseguards happens a couple of times a day. It is not so well-known as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and is usually easier to get "up close and personal" with the event and with the troopers at their posts [although they probably will not acknowledge your presence]. These are the regiments of Dragoon Guards who were engaged at Waterloo, and Balaclava, and they and their mounts are simply superb.
On the same subject of Guards, try to visit the barracks and museum of the infantry Guards, which is not far from Horseguards , opposite the park [whose name I also forget]. What a font of knowledge I am. You may not be able to get into the barracks or the Officers' Mess, but they have a small museum which is well worth a visit.
I didn't have enough time to visit other regiments in London, but I'm sure that there are several others' stationed there permanently, and each will have a museum. Obviously the Imperial War Museum, as you mentioned, is good for at least a full day. Elisabeth will be more intimately acquainted with the "must-sees."
Gordie MC
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Post by Diane Merkel on Jan 2, 2008 17:32:13 GMT -6
Read up on the history of The Tower of London and be sure to visit there. They have a museum with some of the Crown Jewels, but that wasn't the high point. It's like LBH. You'll leave wishing you knew more about the place and the history of the people who were "guests" there. The Tower is Number One on my list if I ever get to London again.
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Post by harpskiddie on Jan 2, 2008 18:06:00 GMT -6
An absolutely marvellous place, the Tower, and easy to get to on the tube [get passes].
Gordie MC
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Post by BrokenSword on Jan 2, 2008 18:25:24 GMT -6
By all means see the Tower - but DON'T call the guards in the antique uniforms there 'Beefeaters.' They really didn't appreciate that as I recall.
The Imperial War Museum will take two weeks at a run to see everything. So, just do your best.
M
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Post by alfuso on Jan 3, 2008 6:47:01 GMT -6
hadn't considered The Tower. But maybe.
part of our "tour" is an official half day tour of London and we get passes for the tube. We will also get tickets for one night to the theatre.
Didn't now about the changing of the household cavalry guard. Now that's a must!
We've got 6 days in London. But only about 7 hours of daylight each. Hmm, Boston when I was a kid. Dark by 4 pm I am looking forward to playing with night shots.
alfuso
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Post by elisabeth on Jan 3, 2008 9:25:12 GMT -6
The Household Cavalry has a museum, too: www.householdcavalrymuseum.org.uk/They are absolutely gorgeous to see. Definitely a must. If you can't fit in their Changing of the Guard, you should at least be able to catch a glimpse of them on sentry duty: either stroll up Whitehall, or take the No. 11 bus which goes right past them. (Your tube pass is probably valid for buses too, and obviously you see so much more if you're on the surface.) Some lovely night shots to be had from your hotel, I should think. If you get the chance, though, go and stand on Waterloo Bridge at dusk (as per "Waterloo Sunset"). For my money, that's the most stunning night-time view in London. The Guards Museum which Gordie mentions is at Wellington Barracks. The road is Birdcage Walk, and the park is St. James's Park. However ... have just looked at their website, and the museum is (grrrr) closed for the whole of January, while they're setting up some exhibition or other. If you fancy a substitute, Apsley House is well worth a look. It was Wellington's London residence (popularly known as "No. 1, London") and is stuffed to the brim with Wellington/Waterloo/Napoleon goodies. And the National Army Museum is said to be rather fine. (I've not yet been myself, so can't testify.) But it's in Chelsea, about a 25-minute bus ride from the very centre of London, so you may not feel you can spare the time; you'll have enough of a trek to get to the Imperial War Museum every day. Your tour company has probably given you some sort of fold-out map, which may be enough for your purposes; none the less, I'd recommend that your first purchase on arrival should be a copy of the "A to Z". It's the Londoner's bible: a brilliantly detailed street-by-street map of London, in book form, with (who'd have guessed) an alphabetical index. I lived in London for 30 years, and still I never go anywhere without consulting it! Great for short cuts; great for getting un-lost if you take a wrong turning; great for finding the closest tube station to where you want to go; just -- utterly great all round. If you do go anywhere near Waterloo Bridge, be sure to take a look at Somerset House. It has splendid art galleries etc., but never mind those: the key thing is that (a) it's a beautiful building, overlooking the river -- and (b) at this time of year, it has a spectacular skating rink in its lovely courtyard. Well worth sparing a moment or two while passing just to enjoy the sight ... OK, I'll shut up now! Except to say that your official half-day tour will almost certainly take you past the Tower, so that'll give you the chance to decide whether you want to investigate further or not.
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Post by markland on Jan 4, 2008 9:15:56 GMT -6
Thanks Elisabeth As a result of that advice, I have gone on a Ray Davies/Kinks listening marathon. My production has suffered and it is all YOUR fault! Of course, since I have been on vacation since the second week of December, it didn't take much whatsoever to upset the production Alfuso, have fun. One of these days I hope to get to England to wander, especially around the Lancashire county as Marklands seem to be thickly sown in that area (supposedly that is where my branch originated but...). Also, as I am a Chelsea fan, I think you really shown get over to see the stadium. Billy
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Post by crzhrs on Jan 4, 2008 12:08:18 GMT -6
You Really Got Me!
PS: The Kinks are re-uniting!
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Post by elisabeth on Jan 11, 2008 2:46:22 GMT -6
Bon voyage, alfuso!
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