TDudette

Thanks, Nepenthe.

Can't wait to read about your trip, latedaytrav! Mayor Johnson was on one of the late night shows some months ago. Very funny. Enjoy it all. Are you staying at the Strand again?

scotlib

I pass a Munnings that is nice and I mentally nod to Dick Francis for introducing me to him in one of his books.

I love DF. Didn't know Munnings is real Thank you, to you, TDudette, for wonderful report (and I'm still reading).

TDudette

Thanks, scotlib. I own all of DF's books and 4 with Felix. His used to come out every year and DH and I fought for 1st read!

I looked at your profile and will read your Scotland TRs asap.

latedaytraveler

Hi T-Du,

" Are you staying at the Strand again?" Yes, believe me, I investigated other hotels but they were all more expensive. The Strand caters to solo travelers so I am returning. LOVE the location for fanning out all over the city. Also three Tube stations are somewhat equidistant - Charing Cross, Covent Garden, and Embankment.

Hope I soldier on as well as you did solo. Recall I have always added a tour in the past - but how many times can I go to Stonehenge and Stratford, eh? I am taking 2 bus tours- one to Downton Abbey area (not Highclere) and Blenhiem (always wanted to go there) /and another to Canterbury, Leeds Castle, Dover.

I will never do it all though...

maitaitom

lateday...I will look forward to your Canterbury tales...

latedaytraveler

Tom, touche. I followed your London/British countryside adventure with relish...

TDudette

And treacle...

lovs2travel

Wonderful trip report!!

TDudette

Thanks, lovs2travel.

sasaco

Just read through your TR and enjoyed it very much. Loved your tips! Being a student of art (many, many years ago) I appreciated your insight and love of art! Thanks for taking the time to share your wonderful trip. Hope it's the first of many....

gruezi

Hi TDudette - what a wonderful trip and trip report. I had just 3 days in Madrid and got to the big three museums (speed viewing) so your report filled in some gaps. I'm also a fan of the lovely Courtald. Thanks for sharing!

TDudette

Thanks sasaco and gruezi.

Just seeing that you are planning Spain with your family, sasaco. Open jaw, if you can do it surely is more convenient. I'm looking forward to your trip report.

gruezi, your recent walk will be a hard act to follow, but what's next?

TDudette

PS-I never had to show my passport in Madrid (or in London) when making purchases. Perhaps you looked suspicious, annhig? LOL.

TSA precheck worked well with a domestic trip on Southwest Air, however, I didn't remind them on a subsequent of my status and it didn't appear on my boarding pass. SO, when you get your tickets online from Southwest, make certain your precheck status has been "remembered".

It looked like many people were being sent to the pre-check line through the kindness of a TSA employee on my last trip.

annhig

PS-I never had to show my passport in Madrid (or in London) when making purchases. Perhaps you looked suspicious, annhig? LOL.>>

i'm known for it, TD. BTW, it was only in El Corte Ingles in Madrid that this happened. so perhaps i only look suspicious there?

TDudette

Perhaps it was a larger than usual amount?

annhig

lol, TD - you clearly don't know me that well !!

not that I'm a cheapskate, but I don't often spend a great deal on presents etc when we 're abroad. i think that it was a bag or scarf for DD - probably €20 or so and certainly no more than €50. perhaps I really did look suspicious!

TDudette

What do you suppose got removed?

annhig

some sort of advert? it's interesting to speculate, but we'll never know......

latedaytraveler

Gals, still enjoying the exchange.

TDudette

Topping for baladeuse.