I thank my lifelong friends for inviting me to join them on this group tour to Great Britain.  I'm sorry they had to cancel at the last minute and I'm ever thankful they kick started me on this travel adventure. 
Thank you, ​Don and Jennifer.

Picture
I left K.C. at 3 p.m. on August 21.
I arrived in London at 7:30 a.m. on August 22nd.  (London is 6 hrs. ahead of us.) 
Day 2-I met a new tour group (after wandering around to find the right tube [subway]).  This tour was booked separately to see the Tower of London. The Tower was conceived by William the Conqueror in 1078.  It included a prison, torture, and executions.  The highlight is the Crown Jewels in the White Tower.  No pictures allowed.
Picture




​The Yeoman Warders, better known as the Beefeaters, were quite a display when opening the Tower for the day.  Our tour was the only private one allowed in before the opening.
​
The Yeoman were very helpful and informative about life in the Tower.

​
Picture
  • Near the Tower of London is the famous Tower Bridge.  It opened in 1894.  It includes 'arms' that allow large ships to travel underneath the bridge.  The upper level walkway has clear glass to watch the water traffic beneath.  It is breathtaking sight and thankfully elevators have been installed.

I found my way back to the 'tube' and got off at the correct stop to return to my hotel.

That evening, my regular two-week tour group met for a Taste of London dinner at a very nice pub, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the River Thames.  The Thames river excursion was beautiful and it was a lovely evening.
Picture
Day 3-It was a memorable day of sightseeing. In Oxford, a walking tour showed the colleges where Britain’s elite receive its outstanding education. Then, we traveled through the lovely Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. I took photos of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (Shakespeare's wife--not the actress).

The memorial to the left is Oxford Martyrs Memorial that commemorates the 16th century martyrs.
 Picture



​This image to the right is called Radcliff Camera in Oxford. It was built in 1737- 1749.  It houses the Radcliffe Science Library.
Day 4-In York, we saw great structure of York Minster, then went through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. We then went to a section of Hadrian’s Wall, then through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. We saw the Jedburgh Abbey ruins before a late-afternoon arrival in Edinburgh.  We had an excursion in the evening.  It was a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (I had to pass on the Haggis--I had read the recipe!)

​York;
After this very entertaining evening, we returned to our hotel for much needed rest.

Day 5-We had a full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduced us the Holyrood Distillery Tour and then a pub dinner. In the “Old Town,” we visited Edinburgh Castle.  Afternoon was at leisure. Later, we enjoyed the highlight of the trip, the Scottish Military Tattoo spectacle that took place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  There were military displays from many countries.  All were great, except for ours!;
Day 6-A day of memorable sightseeing: we took the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; then, cross the Firth of Tay and, via Dundee and Perth, head into the Highlands, with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Then we visited the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie, then, Inverness. 
Day7- More heather-clad moors through the western Highlands to Lochalsh and the Inner Hebridean Isle of Skye. Return to the mainland by ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow, Scotland’s great cultural city.
Day 8- We went south through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. There was beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We ended the day in Liverpool, of Beatles fame, once the departure port of the great transatlantic liners. Our excursion in Liverpool included views of beautiful cathedrals and a ride through the streets made famous by the Beatles.
Day 9- A day dedicated to the mountainous splendor of North Wales.  Well, that was the plan, however, I explained to our tour guide that my body dictated that I take a day off the bus.  I was soundly corrected that we were not riding in a bus, but a coach.  Whatever!  I needed walking time more than riding time.  Also, I needed another suitcase for all the stuff I bought.  I took out in the direction that our tour guide told me there was shopping.  I had the perception that it was several miles away, so I thought I'd catch a cab.  No cabs!  I saw a bus station and thought cabs might be there.  Nada.  I saw a bus ticket office with a human being inside.  A minor miracle.  I asked how to catch a cab.  He told me and said, "Where are you going?".  I said Liverpool One shopping.  He said that's where you are.  What store do you want.  I told him.  He said, "Just walk around the corner, stupid American.".  Not really.  He was very nice and only grinned a little.  Around the corner, hundreds of shops.  Found a suitcase.  All problems solved.  A very relaxing day of shopping, eating, and crowd watching.
Day 10- ​First stop today is in the pretty market town of Ludlow, before heading back into Wales and Brecon Beacons National Park, land of salmon rivers and the Welsh mountain pony. Finally, head through “The Valleys,” whose iron ore and coal were the raw materials for the Industrial Revolution, to the Welsh capital. Here, an orientation introduced us to the major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. 
We had a lovely evening of Welsh culture, with harp playing, beautiful singing, and a delicious local dinner. 
Day 11- Leaving Wales, we crossed the Severn Bridge for a visit to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famed for its Roman relics, before heading into the romantically scenic West Country and Glastonbury with its King Arthur associations. Finally, in Plymouth, we heard about Sir Francis Drake and saw the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620.  Our excursion was a boat trip touring Plymouth shores with history by our captain.
Day 12- On the final leg of our journey, we tooe in Thomas Hardy’s Wessex and visited prehistoric Stonehenge. First, we explored the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admired the magnificence of the monument from up close. Then we returned to London.
After we returned to London, we went on an excursion to watch a play at the Savoy Theater.  It's many centuries old and beautiful.  We watched the play 'Pretty Woman' and it was very well done.  We were well done too as there was no air conditioning and it was extremely hot.  I left the next morning for home.  It was a memorable trip, but as always I was glad to be going home.