6 women, 2 flats, 2 cars (oops - 3 cars), big house -- 2+ weeks in England
Jun 11th, 2009, 09:05 AM
#81
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When I was at Hampton Court Palace in Sept 2007, part of the gardens was closed off for filming as well, for a movie called "Young Victoria". Well, I've been waiting and waiting... I just checked IMDB, and it's been released a few months ago in the UK, but no date is listed for an US release!
Jun 11th, 2009, 01:49 PM
#87
"Broadway, where we lost the other car, is only about 8 miles from Lower Quinton but we never did figure out where all they travelled in those 45 missing mins . . . ."
LOL, jj, abducted by aliens perhaps?
LOL, jj, abducted by aliens perhaps?
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Jun 11th, 2009, 04:01 PM
#88
Original Poster
yk: "<i>I thought they are a lot more expensive, no?</i>"
I thought so too. But that is what came back when I plugged in our dates. And I had the choice of 3 or 4 different schedules at that price. I suppose leaving after 9:30 was the most important factor. I booked them on April 9 for travel on May 15 so they were also advance purchase. That is one reason I wonder how most rail passes would be a bargain unless someone is traveling at short notice.
annhig: "<i>abducted by aliens perhaps?</i>" Could be
They did have a big road atlas but couldn't figure out where they drove. (but that wouldn't be the last time 
)
azzure: "<i>somehow I sense that wasn't the case with you?</i>"
You can bet on it!
Cathinjoetown: That sounds like an exciting move - have you stayed in the area before?
I thought so too. But that is what came back when I plugged in our dates. And I had the choice of 3 or 4 different schedules at that price. I suppose leaving after 9:30 was the most important factor. I booked them on April 9 for travel on May 15 so they were also advance purchase. That is one reason I wonder how most rail passes would be a bargain unless someone is traveling at short notice.
annhig: "<i>abducted by aliens perhaps?</i>" Could be
They did have a big road atlas but couldn't figure out where they drove. (but that wouldn't be the last time )azzure: "<i>somehow I sense that wasn't the case with you?</i>"
You can bet on it!
Cathinjoetown: That sounds like an exciting move - have you stayed in the area before?
Jun 11th, 2009, 09:44 PM
#90
Original Poster
<B>Hidecote Manor, Snowshill Manor, Hailes Abbey - sunshine and gullywashers</B>
Not a lot of "drama" today
Today we all want to visit the gardens - but I'm not looking forward to leading a caravan of cars at 25mph. Then in the morning while walking around the garden I wander by the other car -- a small vauxhall wagon but I don't know the model name -- I notice what looks like two seats folded down in the back luggage area. Could it be? Is this little thing a 6-7 passenger car. Yep. Now it wouldn't work for travel days since there'd be no luggage space w/ the back seats in use. So I go in and get the keys and start wrestling seats. I'm very short so I always have the driver's seat pulled as far forward as possible. Meaning whoever sits behind me had miles of leg room (usually more than in the front passenger seat). So that is taken care of - now we have to see if 2 could actually sit in those back seats - and there was actually more than adequate room. Yippee!! We could all ride together, no one would get lost -- AND we could travel at more than crawling pace.
This will solve ALL our touring issues for the next few days (but unfortunately it was not to last
- cliff hanger)
We all piled in and headed off to Hidecote Manor Gardens which is one of my favorite places in the area. My plan was to do Hidecote first thing, then have lunch in the on-site National Trust restaurant. The day was sort of everything weather wise - bright sunshine, light showers and heavy rain. We got to the garden just as a shower ended and a couple of minutes before opening time. I stopped in the restaurant to ask if we could book a table for six for lunch. They said there were no bookings but if we came right AT noon they could ensure we could get a table. So I got everyone together and explained we need to meet at the restaurant a noon or maybe a couple of mins before. They all nodded their heads like those dog figurines in the back of cars. Some of us went directly out into the gardens and some went inside for morning coffee/tea.
The Gardens are absolutely beautiful - in some ways I prefer it to Sissinghurst. I didn't take too many photos since I've been there several times during different months so I really just wandered and enjoyed the vistas. I think maybe sometimes hauling a camera everywhere - I end up "seeing" less. I get too concerned w/ camera angles and being "artsy"
I showed up a couple of mins before 12:00 to find 2 of our group sitting in the front room at the restaurant at a very small table w/ coffee and their half eaten pastries. A asked them why (?) and they said they hadn't understood our "plan" - they went in at 11:45, asked about lunch and were told it didn't start til noon and no they couldn't have a big table for morning coffee. So they figured I must have got it wrong and they could only have coffee/pastries (?).
I talked to the hostess and she said yes, she remembered me and yes they had a table for us. Then the others showed up and we all went to our "reserved" table (the other 2 brought their coffees and joined us). We had a really good lunch - but those of you who have eaten at many National Trust properties - they aren't necessarily run like a top-efficiency restaurant. And of course, we had to ask for separate checks! Now this one took <u>forever</u> since we had 6 lunches, plus the separate coffees/pastries.
After lunch we split up and agreed to only another 30 mins at the Gardens before heading on to Snowshill. Some went back for more exploring and some hit the gift shop and/or garden centre.
http://www.britainexpress.com/counti...cote/index.htm (I'm linking to this site instead of the official site because there are much better photos)
Snowshill has timed tickets into the house so we wanted to get there in the early afternoon to make sure we could get in. Snowshill is an eccentric place - you really have to go there to understand. Beautiful views and lovely cottage-y gardens - and this unbelievable collection of "stuff" collected by Charles Wade and left as he left it. It is like an old attic on super steroids. You'd probably have to visit dozens of times to really take it all in. Anyone who has been to Sir John Soane's museum - multiply the nimber of things by several hundred and you'll get sort of an idea. And NOTHING is labeled or explained.
We arrived about 2:00 and got house tix for 2:30 PM. It is quite a walk up from the entrance to the house and one of the girls was having foot trouble. Some of us went up the hill right away and made it to the top just as the skies opened up. A total downpour! The gimpy one and her sister had lingered at the bottom for a while and they just barely made it in time for their entry tickets. But in a way they were fortunate - neither had an umbrella w/ them and when it started raining they had time to duck in the gift shop and get plastic ponchos. They would have drowned w/o those.
We all sort of had the same reaction - really weird, really interesting, and none of us saw more than a tiny fraction of the artifacts.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-snowshillmanor
It was a little after 4 when we got back to the car and it's only about 5 miles from Snowshill to Hailes Abbey so I didn't even take a vote, we just started driving. I figured we could get there maybe 30 mins before closing time and could get three properties in one day all covered by the Heritage Pass (W/ me driving we were able to cover a lot more territory w/ a lot less angst and a lot less navigational assistance)
A couple of them sort of harrumphed - but once we were there they all fell in love w/ the place. It is so peaceful w/ the ruins and all the massive chestnut trees. As we drove into the car park it started POURING again and I thought -- "Oh great, I've dragged them here and we'll end up soaked to the skin". We dashed inside the small museum/gift shop and w/i about 5 mins it cleared completely and we ventured out. As it was w/ the brilliant sky, fluffy clouds and no other visitors - it was maybe one of the top 2 or 3 favorite places we visited over the week.
http://www.britainexpress.com/counti...bey_Photos.htm
On the ay back to Lower Quinton we stopped in a Spar shop to pick up some cold cuts and things to supplement what we had at the haouse. They had an Australian wine promotion - 3 bottles for £10 (not much more than 2 Buck Chuck we get back home ) - and it was actually pretty good.
We "grazed" dinner and washed it down w/ wine and watched more news about the Parliament expenses scandal . . . . .
Next: <B>Two stay home to explore/shop/relax while 4 head to Bath. Unexpected detour - poor car!
Not a lot of "drama" today
Today we all want to visit the gardens - but I'm not looking forward to leading a caravan of cars at 25mph. Then in the morning while walking around the garden I wander by the other car -- a small vauxhall wagon but I don't know the model name -- I notice what looks like two seats folded down in the back luggage area. Could it be? Is this little thing a 6-7 passenger car. Yep. Now it wouldn't work for travel days since there'd be no luggage space w/ the back seats in use. So I go in and get the keys and start wrestling seats. I'm very short so I always have the driver's seat pulled as far forward as possible. Meaning whoever sits behind me had miles of leg room (usually more than in the front passenger seat). So that is taken care of - now we have to see if 2 could actually sit in those back seats - and there was actually more than adequate room. Yippee!! We could all ride together, no one would get lost -- AND we could travel at more than crawling pace.
This will solve ALL our touring issues for the next few days (but unfortunately it was not to last
- cliff hanger)We all piled in and headed off to Hidecote Manor Gardens which is one of my favorite places in the area. My plan was to do Hidecote first thing, then have lunch in the on-site National Trust restaurant. The day was sort of everything weather wise - bright sunshine, light showers and heavy rain. We got to the garden just as a shower ended and a couple of minutes before opening time. I stopped in the restaurant to ask if we could book a table for six for lunch. They said there were no bookings but if we came right AT noon they could ensure we could get a table. So I got everyone together and explained we need to meet at the restaurant a noon or maybe a couple of mins before. They all nodded their heads like those dog figurines in the back of cars. Some of us went directly out into the gardens and some went inside for morning coffee/tea.
The Gardens are absolutely beautiful - in some ways I prefer it to Sissinghurst. I didn't take too many photos since I've been there several times during different months so I really just wandered and enjoyed the vistas. I think maybe sometimes hauling a camera everywhere - I end up "seeing" less. I get too concerned w/ camera angles and being "artsy"
I showed up a couple of mins before 12:00 to find 2 of our group sitting in the front room at the restaurant at a very small table w/ coffee and their half eaten pastries. A asked them why (?) and they said they hadn't understood our "plan" - they went in at 11:45, asked about lunch and were told it didn't start til noon and no they couldn't have a big table for morning coffee. So they figured I must have got it wrong and they could only have coffee/pastries (?).
I talked to the hostess and she said yes, she remembered me and yes they had a table for us. Then the others showed up and we all went to our "reserved" table (the other 2 brought their coffees and joined us). We had a really good lunch - but those of you who have eaten at many National Trust properties - they aren't necessarily run like a top-efficiency restaurant. And of course, we had to ask for separate checks! Now this one took <u>forever</u> since we had 6 lunches, plus the separate coffees/pastries.
After lunch we split up and agreed to only another 30 mins at the Gardens before heading on to Snowshill. Some went back for more exploring and some hit the gift shop and/or garden centre.
http://www.britainexpress.com/counti...cote/index.htm (I'm linking to this site instead of the official site because there are much better photos)
Snowshill has timed tickets into the house so we wanted to get there in the early afternoon to make sure we could get in. Snowshill is an eccentric place - you really have to go there to understand. Beautiful views and lovely cottage-y gardens - and this unbelievable collection of "stuff" collected by Charles Wade and left as he left it. It is like an old attic on super steroids. You'd probably have to visit dozens of times to really take it all in. Anyone who has been to Sir John Soane's museum - multiply the nimber of things by several hundred and you'll get sort of an idea. And NOTHING is labeled or explained.
We arrived about 2:00 and got house tix for 2:30 PM. It is quite a walk up from the entrance to the house and one of the girls was having foot trouble. Some of us went up the hill right away and made it to the top just as the skies opened up. A total downpour! The gimpy one and her sister had lingered at the bottom for a while and they just barely made it in time for their entry tickets. But in a way they were fortunate - neither had an umbrella w/ them and when it started raining they had time to duck in the gift shop and get plastic ponchos. They would have drowned w/o those.
We all sort of had the same reaction - really weird, really interesting, and none of us saw more than a tiny fraction of the artifacts.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-snowshillmanor
It was a little after 4 when we got back to the car and it's only about 5 miles from Snowshill to Hailes Abbey so I didn't even take a vote, we just started driving. I figured we could get there maybe 30 mins before closing time and could get three properties in one day all covered by the Heritage Pass (W/ me driving we were able to cover a lot more territory w/ a lot less angst and a lot less navigational assistance)
A couple of them sort of harrumphed - but once we were there they all fell in love w/ the place. It is so peaceful w/ the ruins and all the massive chestnut trees. As we drove into the car park it started POURING again and I thought -- "Oh great, I've dragged them here and we'll end up soaked to the skin". We dashed inside the small museum/gift shop and w/i about 5 mins it cleared completely and we ventured out. As it was w/ the brilliant sky, fluffy clouds and no other visitors - it was maybe one of the top 2 or 3 favorite places we visited over the week.
http://www.britainexpress.com/counti...bey_Photos.htm
On the ay back to Lower Quinton we stopped in a Spar shop to pick up some cold cuts and things to supplement what we had at the haouse. They had an Australian wine promotion - 3 bottles for £10 (not much more than 2 Buck Chuck we get back home
) - and it was actually pretty good.We "grazed" dinner and washed it down w/ wine and watched more news about the Parliament expenses scandal . . . . .
Next: <B>Two stay home to explore/shop/relax while 4 head to Bath. Unexpected detour - poor car!
Jun 12th, 2009, 03:54 AM
#92
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janisj:
It is lovely to click on your links and see where you have been. Following and reading with interest.
Working out when to eat and where with a group of six is not the easiest. What is there to not understand about meet at the restaurant at noon or a little before. Once again you graciously handle this without any hard feelings.
I am still a bit shocked about asking for separate checks each and every time. Does this lady insist on separate checks when you eat together at home?
Waiting for unexpected detour. Carry on please.
Sandy
It is lovely to click on your links and see where you have been. Following and reading with interest.
Working out when to eat and where with a group of six is not the easiest. What is there to not understand about meet at the restaurant at noon or a little before. Once again you graciously handle this without any hard feelings.
I am still a bit shocked about asking for separate checks each and every time. Does this lady insist on separate checks when you eat together at home?
Waiting for unexpected detour. Carry on please.
Sandy
Jun 12th, 2009, 04:41 AM
#93
Original Poster
"<i>Does this lady insist on separate checks when you eat together at home?</i>"
Oh, absolutely. But it is usually only a party of 2 -- plus that is a much more common request in the States in the casual sorts of places where we've eaten together.
I definitely did not foresee this problem - I assumed after the first or second time she would have caught on. She does try to put on a very worldly/sophisticated front - but all the separate checks and a couple of other things that happened, that reputation is gone forever.
Oh, absolutely. But it is usually only a party of 2 -- plus that is a much more common request in the States in the casual sorts of places where we've eaten together.
I definitely did not foresee this problem - I assumed after the first or second time she would have caught on. She does try to put on a very worldly/sophisticated front - but all the separate checks and a couple of other things that happened, that reputation is gone forever.
Jun 12th, 2009, 05:50 AM
#95
Original Poster
yk: I've been in early April (which was beautiful w/ all the spring bulbs), May twice (and what was in bloom was totally different due to the weather earlier that Spring), June and September.
Any time is good but if I HAD to pick a time it would be mid-late June. Last month the roses and early summer flowers really weren't blooming yet. But a couple of weeks can make a huge difference.
Any time is good but if I HAD to pick a time it would be mid-late June. Last month the roses and early summer flowers really weren't blooming yet. But a couple of weeks can make a huge difference.
Jun 12th, 2009, 07:06 AM
#96
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(Still following this, shaking head all the way. I hope the group got you a nice thank you gift at the end)
Thanks for the bit about Snowshill. I have been struggling with what to do with my family for the one day in the Cotswolds - I had resigned myself to 'winging it' - and it is the type of place that fits the bill - the teen boys and I can explore the house with all the treasure, and DH can do his "camera angles and being "artsy" to his heart's content elsewhere on the property (he LOVES gardens). If you have time for any other like minded suggestions, could you (or anyone) post on my itinerary thread? We will be doing Stratford and Warwick Castle one day, so that is taken care of. We are staying in Bourton on the Water.
Thanks for the bit about Snowshill. I have been struggling with what to do with my family for the one day in the Cotswolds - I had resigned myself to 'winging it' - and it is the type of place that fits the bill - the teen boys and I can explore the house with all the treasure, and DH can do his "camera angles and being "artsy" to his heart's content elsewhere on the property (he LOVES gardens). If you have time for any other like minded suggestions, could you (or anyone) post on my itinerary thread? We will be doing Stratford and Warwick Castle one day, so that is taken care of. We are staying in Bourton on the Water.
Jun 12th, 2009, 07:08 AM
#97
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Hi Janis
I think by now I would have told separate check lady to eat separately from the group!
I agree with yk, I would love to travel in your group, you planned such a wonderful trip.
I'm in the very first stages of planning a trip to London/Oxford/Cotswolds for next year. It seems like a long way off right now, but I'm very excited.
Johanna
I think by now I would have told separate check lady to eat separately from the group!
I agree with yk, I would love to travel in your group, you planned such a wonderful trip.
I'm in the very first stages of planning a trip to London/Oxford/Cotswolds for next year. It seems like a long way off right now, but I'm very excited.
Johanna
Jun 12th, 2009, 08:52 AM
#100
Original Poster
Nope - no thank you gift, or even a cup of tea . . . . to be honest, I've been feeling a bit martyr-ish. 
The pre-planning was even more than described - I created a 20 page full color sort of basic guide book illustrated w/ photos of many of the places we'd visit, a tube map, map of the Cotswolds w/ sites pinpointed, etc. and made a copy for each of them. My advance work probably saved each of us more than $1500, $1000 for sure. Maybe I just made it too easy and they weren't "invested". I know we are always advising posters to let their kids be part of the planning process - - - Same concept here.
But they asked me to totally plan the trip and that's what I did - w/ input from everyone at every stage.
Pat: I'd go back w/ a couple of them - especially one of the ORD ladies. Actually both ORD ladies were fine most of the time. Interested in more things. They had a few "foibles" (don't we all ?? ) but were willing to laugh at themselves (OFTEN) and try most things - except for Branston Pickle and the Eye One of my local friends (the sister of an ORD lady) was definitely OK most of the time. And she was the only one capable of reading a map. But she's quiet and sort of hangs back and waits for things to occur rather than fully participating.
The hardest part for me really though was that most of them never really left the States. In the evenings -- TV was whatever US reality show or series was on, and no matter where we were, discussions were mostly about things back home - almost never about what we were seeing/doing.
OK - enough w/ the whining! I'll try to get the next installment / car disaster finished later this afternoon . . . . .
The pre-planning was even more than described - I created a 20 page full color sort of basic guide book illustrated w/ photos of many of the places we'd visit, a tube map, map of the Cotswolds w/ sites pinpointed, etc. and made a copy for each of them. My advance work probably saved each of us more than $1500, $1000 for sure. Maybe I just made it too easy and they weren't "invested". I know we are always advising posters to let their kids be part of the planning process - - - Same concept here.
But they asked me to totally plan the trip and that's what I did - w/ input from everyone at every stage.
Pat: I'd go back w/ a couple of them - especially one of the ORD ladies. Actually both ORD ladies were fine most of the time. Interested in more things. They had a few "foibles" (don't we all ?? ) but were willing to laugh at themselves (OFTEN) and try most things - except for Branston Pickle and the Eye
One of my local friends (the sister of an ORD lady) was definitely OK most of the time. And she was the only one capable of reading a map. But she's quiet and sort of hangs back and waits for things to occur rather than fully participating. The hardest part for me really though was that most of them never really left the States. In the evenings -- TV was whatever US reality show or series was on, and no matter where we were, discussions were mostly about things back home - almost never about what we were seeing/doing.
OK - enough w/ the whining! I'll try to get the next installment / car disaster finished later this afternoon . . . . .
