"It Will Rain Tomorrow." England Weathers The MaiTai Four.
Dec 16th, 2013, 12:46 PM
#281
Original Poster
By the way, to show how our positive perception of England has increased dramatically, last night Tracy and I had Shepherd's Pie and Sticky Toffee Pudding for dinner. Pretty soon, I'll be talking with an accent.
td - Thanks. I'll say hello to "the gang." Hope you have a great trip.
td - Thanks. I'll say hello to "the gang." Hope you have a great trip.
Dec 16th, 2013, 02:26 PM
#283
Loved your report. Glad you'll give London another chance. We had a disappointing first visit to Paris due to terrible lodging situation. We wasted time finding something better and rescued our stay. However, neither of us have good memories of that visit. The next four visits to Paris, however, have been wonderful!
Dec 16th, 2013, 03:25 PM
#285
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Tom -- Thank you for a wonderful trip report. It has helped me with my own planning for summer 2014. I will be there 4 weeks -- mostly countryside -- with no time in London. Just yesterday I was wondering if this was a mistake, but I don't think so. I just have no desire to spend time there. But I wouldn't rule it out for a future visit.
I usually prefer countryside and villages to cities. Paris would be the exception.
Good insight about blogging.
I usually prefer countryside and villages to cities. Paris would be the exception.
Good insight about blogging.
Dec 16th, 2013, 04:52 PM
#288
Original Poster
"Glad you'll give London another chance. We had a disappointing first visit to Paris…"
It wasn't disappointing, just different than what I had envisioned. I guess I had certain expectations, but we had a great time, and I'm sure we'll get back there someday. Thanks for all the nice comments.
It wasn't disappointing, just different than what I had envisioned. I guess I had certain expectations, but we had a great time, and I'm sure we'll get back there someday. Thanks for all the nice comments.
Dec 17th, 2013, 06:42 AM
#290
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Tom, our first visits to London was to visit all the iconic tourist sights and only for a few days at a time. This last May we did a week and I really enjoyed London as never before. It helped that we stayed in an apartment in a great neighbourhood (Queen's Gate)with really good tube connections, great walks and great small neighbourhood restaurants. One thing though, we did not see as much as I thought, it is time consuming getting around London whether on the bus, tube or on foot. However, we will be back for sure. Thanks for your trip report, I really enjoyed it.
Dec 17th, 2013, 10:57 AM
#291
Original Poster
"One thing though, we did not see as much as I thought, it is time consuming getting around London whether on the bus, tube or on foot."
What I found amazing, even with a very efficient tube system, we still averaged more than 10 miles a day walking during our stay in London. That meant we could eat and drink as much as we wanted. Take that Jenny Craig!
What I found amazing, even with a very efficient tube system, we still averaged more than 10 miles a day walking during our stay in London. That meant we could eat and drink as much as we wanted. Take that Jenny Craig!
Dec 17th, 2013, 12:40 PM
#292
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Tom, you and the other 3 maitais may want to consider northern England for a future trip. The Yorkshire Moors and Lake District are breathtaking. I'll be returning to some places I visited in the north in '88. Cotswolds, Bath, Cornwall will all be new to me.
Tour de France 2014 will be going through Yorkshire (even through the Bronte sisters village of Haworth), just a few days before I arrive. I hope it's cleaned up by then. I could rearrange my schedule to be there at the time they are... but since I don't like crowds, will pass on that in favor of tranquility.
Tour de France 2014 will be going through Yorkshire (even through the Bronte sisters village of Haworth), just a few days before I arrive. I hope it's cleaned up by then. I could rearrange my schedule to be there at the time they are... but since I don't like crowds, will pass on that in favor of tranquility.
Dec 17th, 2013, 12:47 PM
#293
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Hi Tom,
Thank you for your “sober” reflections
on your great trip to London and beyond. I enjoyed every adventure. You wrote:
“Maybe because those other places are so “magical” (at least to us), London hadn’t “wowed” us. We’re a tough group…Perhaps it was the fact that we’d walk by a beautiful historic building, only to have it situated next to some 1960s or 1970s monstrosity of architecture. Heck, maybe it was just because they spoke English there. I don’t know, but it just wasn’t talking to us.”
True, as I observed in my own recent trip report, London does not have the charm of Paris or the grandeur of Rome (and other magnificent European cities that I have seen) but it has an edge, a strength, and a linguistic/artistic/historical association that “speaks to” (to use a phrase popular with talking heads) most North Americans. It’s our roots, baby, and we know it when we see it.
No doubt many of those architectural monstrosities from the 1960s and 70s were fill-ins for where the Nazi bombs dropped during WWII. Remember-
“We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” Winston Churchill
Cheers for the MaiTaiFour…
Thank you for your “sober” reflections
on your great trip to London and beyond. I enjoyed every adventure. You wrote:“Maybe because those other places are so “magical” (at least to us), London hadn’t “wowed” us. We’re a tough group…Perhaps it was the fact that we’d walk by a beautiful historic building, only to have it situated next to some 1960s or 1970s monstrosity of architecture. Heck, maybe it was just because they spoke English there. I don’t know, but it just wasn’t talking to us.”
True, as I observed in my own recent trip report, London does not have the charm of Paris or the grandeur of Rome (and other magnificent European cities that I have seen) but it has an edge, a strength, and a linguistic/artistic/historical association that “speaks to” (to use a phrase popular with talking heads) most North Americans. It’s our roots, baby, and we know it when we see it.
No doubt many of those architectural monstrosities from the 1960s and 70s were fill-ins for where the Nazi bombs dropped during WWII. Remember-
“We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” Winston Churchill
Cheers for the MaiTaiFour…
Dec 17th, 2013, 03:28 PM
#294
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Tom, loving England as I do, I have thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful trip report. You are going to post the winning Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe after your personal taste tests are finished, aren't you?
Dec 18th, 2013, 07:26 AM
#296
Original Poster
"You are going to post the winning Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe after your personal taste tests are finished, aren't you?"
Yes, but until we try them all, we found a great Sticky Toffee Pudding for take out at The Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena, also a place where you can enjoy afternoon tea. We'll be having their STP for Christmas Eve dessert.
" Will you be posting any pictures?"
Absolutely. Stay tuned early next year.
Thanks again for all the nice comments.
Yes, but until we try them all, we found a great Sticky Toffee Pudding for take out at The Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena, also a place where you can enjoy afternoon tea. We'll be having their STP for Christmas Eve dessert.
" Will you be posting any pictures?"
Absolutely. Stay tuned early next year.
Thanks again for all the nice comments.
Dec 18th, 2013, 04:25 PM
#298
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Maitaitom, we've really enjoyed your entertaining T/R! A few years ago, we and another couple spent three weeks visiting many of the same places which you described. It is fun to re-visit them through your report. We also traveled to the Lake District and a bit into Scotland. We agree with you that Great Britain doesn't have the "charm of Paris" or the "grandeur of Rome" which call us back to these beautiful cities. But Great Britain has its own draw. Thanks again for your report. We look forward to your pictures!
Dec 19th, 2013, 09:01 AM
#299
Original Poster
Susan, after you pick up the Sticky Toffee Pudding at Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena, head east to Sierra Madre and get some extra Sticky Toffee Pudding sauce at Savor The Flavor. I have to be handcuffed so I don't just eat it out of the jar.
tomarkot..."But Great Britain has its own draw."
That's for sure! I would like to go to the Lake District and Scotland. I LOVE castles.
tomarkot..."But Great Britain has its own draw."
That's for sure! I would like to go to the Lake District and Scotland. I LOVE castles.
Dec 19th, 2013, 09:15 AM
#300
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Thanks, Tom, for the tip about the pudding sauce.
I experienced some torrential downpours during my week in Scotland -- so much so I have no real desire to go back, but might give it another try. I actually preferred England.
I experienced some torrential downpours during my week in Scotland -- so much so I have no real desire to go back, but might give it another try. I actually preferred England.
