Just returned from London-had a great time-the two highlights were: play (Blood Brothers -- it was wonderful!!!) and eating at the Royal Oak Pub @ Windsor! If you go to Windsor - don't miss eating here - it is right across from the train station and the food was delicious!!

my favorite is a grand aioli...other unmentioned uses- if the aioli is well made, there is usually enough garlic on the breath to revive the dead..while on the same train of thought, great for discouraging unwelcome "suitors"...and be sure that the welcome ones partake equally in the feast!

We just returned from London as well. I have to agree with you about Blood Bros. I have never witnessed actors being so spent at the end of a musical. They really gave it everything they had! We also loved the Imperial War Museum as well as many other popular tourist sites. Just wanted to mention it here, since it doesn't seem to get as much notice. I would really want to rave about the Holocaust exhibit. We all thought it was the best of many we have seen including D.C. It does take about 3/4 of a day to visit and it is free.

One unplanned thing happened that was a really amazing experience in a London hospital. My son had a small nick on his knuckle which got terribly
infected. Hand swollen and red up his arm vein. We went to the nearest Emergency room. My husband
casually mentioned that we had tickets for a musical Blood Brothers in about
2 1/2 hours and they were so nice and rushed us through and we made it! (we were sure we would miss it)
When we departed the waiting room it had grown from about 10 upon our
arrival to 40-50. We were really lucky. They sort of IV 'ed him with two
giant syringes and then gave us antibiotics and he was better in a day -
about as fast as it came on. And it was FREE. You didn't even have to
check out - in fact they misspelled our name. They were so nice and accommodating compared to our usual experiences here in
America - it was shocking! And a much better method of treatment too we
thought. No one wore masks or gloves though....

It was our first experience with trains of any sort. Went to Bath, York, Hampton Court and Edinburgh. All went surprisingly well and we were definitely clueless! Oh and one more vote for the Renaissance Chauncery Court. The only time I have stayed anywhere that nice was the Bellagio and it was not too bad of a price either. Of course because of the dollar everything was a fortune. We felt like we were spending money like millionaires! We really only had a few really nice meals though. At Orso and another one called Gennaro in the Grass Market section of Edinburgh. I have never eaten so many sandwiches or pizzas in my life. And even they were expensive (But good!)

Also a couple more plugs for other lesser mentioned tourist attractions. The Britania and the Palace of Holyrood in Edinburgh and the Original Ghost Walk as well as the free 10:00 a.m. Viking Walk in York. The only disappoints to us (others may disagree) was the Jorvik Center and maybe Mary King's Close in Edinburgh. Both run by the same company we later found out.

I just wanted to also thank everyone for all of the time and effort they put in to this site. I am addicted and can't seem to plan anything without it.

girlfriendred - what did you have to eat at the Royal Oak Pub? Thanks!

Going to Windsor in about one week. Thanks so much for the recommendation on the Royal Oak Pub.

I am surprised that you were treated for free. I have been in 2 ER's in 2 different countries with socialized medicine and we paid both times.(they billed us in the states)

Initial *emergency* treatment in the NHS is still available to overseas visitors on the same basis as for UK residents, ie, free of charge (except for follow-up prescription medicines).

I rather suspect that, even where overseas visitors are supposed to pay, some NHS people might - especially for minor ailments - be looking for ways to avoid the embarrassment and paper work of charging. But the powers that be are trying to crack down on that.

Message: Barbara - sorry I am late getting back to you on this. forgot to check with fodors for a couple of weeks. I got a hugh salad with chicken, peppers, etc and a caramel dessert to DIE for. My friend got a roast beef "pie" and also got the same dessert. It was the best caramel I have ever eaten!

Perhaps if the British public were more keen theatre-goers, the hundred year emergency room waits one reads about in the papers would be a thing of the past, mind you Anything Goes.

girlfriendred - You replied just in time - we leave in 8 days! I'll definitely have to try the caramel dessert. Thanks!

Oh Barbara, I am so envious! When you get back, please let me know how you enjoyed it. It is a little round cake with warm caramel served on top! (by the way, the waitress told us the guy who crashed William's 21 birthday party at Windsor went through their back yard to get to the castle!)

In the US that waitress would be behind bars, without access to an attorney, and charged with being an accessory to terrorism!

LOL !