Well, then I stand corrected, Flan. I just couldn't find anything that looked like a large formal garden, and with the Press going on about Government data manipulation -------

I didn't know part of Highgrove can be visited -- must remember that for a future trip. Looking forward to reading more!

<i>Google Maps doesn't identify private houses.</i>

Exactly! We still do have some privacy, although that seems to be rapidly disappearing. When Google Maps included my (shared) private drive in their street view I complained, and it was removed from the imagery. I can only imagine what would have happened had they tried to map Highgrove! Not much you can do about the satellite view, though.

Waiting for more....

>> When might we expect the State Opening? I'd imagine there are a fair few Fodorites who'd divvy up for a tour.....<<

I picture flanner as a genial Lord Emsworth type who spends the afternoons out speaking with his pig man. Would pay the tour price to have this confirmed.

"I can only imagine what would have happened had they tried to map Highgrove"

Highgrove is treated EXACTLY like any other house on Google. The coverage in Street View of Highgrove's frontage along the A433 is exactly the same as the coverage of the Hare & Hounds, Westonbirt School and Westonbirt Arboretum a few hundred yards either side. Highgrove's anonymous on Street View because there's no identifying mark on the road frontage - any more than there is outside any other gated private property.

The formal gardens are EXACLY as recognisable on Satellite View, and reproduced to EXACTLY the same level of detail, as the grounds of the Westonbirts. From 23,000 miles, none look terribly impressive.

Hi tod,

>Can't wait to hear if you were ensconsed in the Hotel Bonaparte ...

Yes, we were.

At the suggestion of many on this board, I looked into other hotels. After several months of looking, I chose the Bonaparte again. Couldn't find anything as nice for the price.

However, there was a surprise for us. Our usual room, no 25, had been recently redone. It still smelled from new paint.

((I))

Hi M,

>In the future leave a space between the URL and the closing parenthesis, ....

Good advice, Thanx.
....................................
Hi Nuke,

> I suppose it is one of those sites that have been expunged from Google for security reasons.

It's on the google map.

Starting from Tetbury, follow Bath Rd west. You will pass a red 20 mph marker inlaid in the pavement. Continue on.

You will pass a gate with a red car behind it on your right. Continue on.

There will be a stone wall on your right. Continue to the driveway at the end.

Turn right. This is the entrance. There is a stone wall with a sign on the right.

Exit from Street view. There is an aerial view of the gardens.

The ellipse-like drive at the upper left is the visitor's car park.

((I))

Ira - i'm laughing fit to burst already.

more please.

Arrived Edinburgh on Tues, Sept 2, about 5 hr late.

The last time we left the states, they kept us on the plane for 3 hrs while the pilot kept reporting about a malfunctioning device. Eventually our luggage went one way and we went another. Spent 3 days in Barcelona without the large suitcase.

This time was better.

About 1/2 hr into the boarding process, they stopped. An hour later, they let those on board off, and moved us all to a different gate.

We were to board another plane. That plane came.

About 1/2 hr into the boarding process, they stopped. An hour later, they let those on board off, and moved us all back to the original gate.

Eventually, we got off.

Hint: Take a Zoloft before going to the airport.

Arriving with our luggage at <b>14 Hart St</b> (http://www.14hartstreet.co.uk/ ) we were hosted by the very friendly and helpful James and Angela, in their lovely home.

<i>Highly Recommended</i>. (especially the decanter of Scotch in the room)

Restos:

We chose <b>The Olive Branch</b> (http://www.theolivebranchscotland.co.uk/#bistro ) for our first dinner because it was just around the corner from our B&B. It is a contemporary place with good food and drinks at reasonable prices. The Tomato/basil soup was very good, as was the grilled fish. <i>Recommended</i>

Prior to that, we had a pint at the <b>Barony Bar</b> across the street from the Olive Branch. It is what we thought a pub should look like. Good beer.
Tried it for dinner one night. Good place to have a pint or two before dinner.

<b>The Stockbridge</b> (http://www.thestockbridgerestaurant.co.uk/ ) was a real treat. We each had the 3-course menu. The fish was particularly good. <i>Highly Recommended</i>

As we had last been to Edinburgh about 1987, we did the usual tourist things, to see if it had changed much. It has, and for the better.

The Castle is in nicer condition. The free tours are very nice.

We liked our visits to the National Museum and to St Giles Cathedral. – Check out the angels with bagpipes in the small chapel.

The HOHO bus ride was interesting.

Walked down to the Waverly station (huge) to get the car. Waited and waited and waited while two pleasant women tried to serve a dozen or so customers. The paperwork was as bad as at a hospital.

Hint: Take a Zoloft before picking up the car.

Finally was given my paper work and asked to please wait while the keys were brought. Read the NYT on my Kindle. Asked about the keys. Oh, yes, the keys.

Finally got the car. The less said about that the better.

Returned to the B&B. James noted that the GPS devices usually took people through the construction areas, so he gave us directions for leaving town.

Amazingly enough, the TomTom chose his very route.

Off to the Braemar Gathering.

((I))

It sounds like your TomTom was about as reliable as the GPS I had in Wernigerode, Germany, which sent me out into the countryside at dusk. I feared I'd have to spend the night in the car.

I enjoy your reports and comments.

Incidental details while thinking of them:

Petrol in the UK ran about 1.42 GBP/LITRE

The difference between the full English breakfast and the full Scottish breakfast is that one has cold beans and the other has cold fried tomatoes. I can't recall which is which.

Some people ask for scones.
Some people ask for scons.
The Stone of Scone is pronounced Scoooooooone.

The English have cows.
The Scots highlanders have "hielan coos".
(http://tinyurl.com/pgjpbl3 )

Ira - petrol prices just came down - round here it's between £1.28 and £1.35 now.

in fact it came down by 2p in the space of a couple of hours - on the way out the local petrol station was showing £1.33, and on the way back it was £1.31.

Thank you Ira for your specific directions. I found the overhead views of Highgrove. It was further down Bath Road than I was looking.

That shoots my conspiracy theory.

Since we are skipping our Sept. trip to Europe for the first time in 12 years, I am thoroughly enjoying traveling with you.

Humorous and informative, you tell a good tale.

We've enjoyed so many lovely gardens in Europe and
http://www.highgrovegardens.com/
does look like something we would put on our list.

Details are one of the reasons to read Fodors TR's. I appreciate your including websites to check out the places you stay and visit. Some of my favorite details are always the restaurants---except right now I'm kind of hungry and the rack of lamb pictured in the site for The Stockbridge made me drool!!!

=D>
Anxiously awaiting more!

Thanks for making me laugh on a cloudy, chilly afternoon! Can't wait to read more!!

I am taking notes and bookmarking for our trip in June. Thanks for the information!

>>The Scots highlanders have "hielan coos".<<

I love those beasts... so beautiful with all that shaggy red hair.

>>>I love those beasts... so beautiful with all that shaggy red hair.<<<

The Scots or the coos? LOL

Either, actually! ;)