JJBhoy

Hiya noe,

What a wonderful report! Especially enjoyed your perspective on Glasgow.

Bye bye,

Jim

noe847

OK, Jim, now you've gone and made me miss Glasgow!

I hope that you do a trip report on your return trip to NYC (is that coming up?)

noe847

<u>LONDON FOOD</u>

For lunches we continued our love affair with baguette sandwiches. Luckily, they’re everywhere, even ones without mayo (yay!) This wasn’t a gourmet trip by any means, but we enjoyed our meals. With the exception of M&amp;S, we learned about all of the following food sources from Fodor’s posts!

<u>Marks &amp; Spencer Food Hall</u>

We picked up several take away meals from the M&amp;S right above the Green Park tube station. Good selection and tasty food.

<u>Strada</u>

This informal Italian restaurant is my husband’s favorite spot to enjoy a salad, glass of wine and a delicious pizza or pasta. We can walk from the hotel.

<u>Caf&eacute; in the Crypt, St. Martin in the Fields</u>

Located at Trafalgar Square, this cafeteria style restaurant serves hot and cold foods, as well as tea with baked goods. The caf&eacute; does a brisk business. We enjoyed our sandwiches.

<u>North Sea Fish</u>

This was, bar none, the best fish and chips I have ever tasted. Nothing pretentious, no ‘atmosphere,’ just really really good fish, served piping hot. This restaurant has a separate take away shop next door. Walking distance to the British Museum.

<u>Busaba Eathai</u>

Why don’t building numbers go in order? We walked up and down Wardour Street a couple of times before we located this Thai restaurant. It is casual and popular. Everyone sits on backless stools at huge square tables (12 people to a table, I think). I loved my food, but my daughter, who is a big fan of Thai food, didn’t. We needed a quick meal, and got out even faster than I hoped. In Soho.

<u>Borough Market</u>

We had a wonderful breakfast here on a Saturday morning, and bought the fixings for a picnic lunch. Everything was fantastic.

JJBhoy

Hiya Noe,

Aye - NYC flights are booked for 14 October so will try to post another trip report ASAP when we return. Hope you enjoy Romania.

Bye Bye,

Jim

crazy4Hawaii

noe -
It sounds like they admit quite a few more than the &quot;maximum of fifteen&quot; posted on the website (key ceremony). I imagine that takes away from the intimacy (and maybe solemnity) of it - trying to wriggle around for a view! In retrospect, would you recommend this activity as something to do given the cool historical aspect of it, or is it just too much hassle for a minimal experience?

noe847

sorry for the slow reply, crazy4Hawaii. There were definitely more than 15 people. I didn't take a head count, so I suppose my estimate might be a little high. The Yeoman Warder had us all stand on the sidewalk area (behind a line of stones on the pavement, I think), and he had the children be in front so their view wouldn't be blocked. Thinking about that group, I'd still say a good 30 people.

As for whether it was worth it, I haven't totally sorted how I felt about it. Being at the Tower after hours/in the dark was cool. Hearing the Yeoman Warder tell stories and answer questions about the Tower was also very nice. I like the long <i>history</i> of the ceremony, and being able to witness that.

I wanted to love it more than I did. And it wasn't exactly what I anticipated. For some reason, I think I expected to be doing a bit more walking along with the guard group. I've seen a lot of (loud) marching and pageantry in uniforms at various ceremonies with the bagpipe band, so maybe I am jaded?

It's free, and an interesting way to spend an evening. One boy (age 10 or 11, from London) was attending for his second time, so there's an endorsement!

noe847

Ha Ha, Jim - you've fit all three phrases in!

I will make a point of looking for your trip report - your first one is the funniest thing I've ever read on Fodor's. I'll be in NYC at the same time (for a weekend), for a high school reunion - it's been over 30 years since I've seen my classmates (girls' school).

LCBoniti

No time right now - bookmarking for later!

noe847

no time for me either! I was going to do a sort of summary, but instead will just say ...
bye bye

I'll be happy to answer any questions as/when I find myself near a computer.

janisj

Crazy4Hawaii: &quot;<i>It sounds like they admit quite a few more than the &quot;maximum of fifteen&quot; posted on the website </i>&quot;

What the website means is an individual party is limited to 15 (in the winter - in the summer the limit is 6 tickets). There are usually between 40 and 50 in attendance, sometimes a bit more. But each booking is limited to 15. Until about 2 years ago the limit was 7 year round . . . . . . .

yk

Hi noe-

Your trip reports are always so helpful. I'm planning a last-minute trip to London/Salisbury.

For the Salisbury Cathedral Tower tour, the cathedral website says it is about 1hr 45 mins to 2 hours long. Do you remember if that's about right? Is there any way I can leave the tour early at all?

The earliest tour is at 11:15am, which if all goes well, will end by 1:15pm.

I have a train to catch from the Salisbury train station at 1:45pm. Plus I'll have to first return to the B&amp;B (right next to St Anne's gate) to fetch my luggage. I'm trying to see if it's feasible.

I've never been to Borough Market, and I think you go there everytime you go to London right? I may go on Sat AM. You said you had breakfast there - are there stalls where one can sit down for breakfast or is it all to-go?

noe847

I'm glad you find the reports helpful, yk!

I don't think you could make that train. The tour was actually longer than the website said - I think closer to 2.5 hrs. The train station is not all that close to the cathedral - about a 15 min. walk - and I'm not sure where your lodging is located.

Also, if I remember this correctly, the Tower tour stays together as a group, and the guide locks the door at the bottom of the tower when each group goes up. So I don't know if you could leave early without the guide coming down from the top of the tower to unlock it.

I don't remember seeing any tables/chairs at the Borough Market. We either eat our purchases as we walked around bring them to a park to enjoy.

noe847

Another thing: there are lockers at the cathedral for people to leave belongings when they take the tour. Maybe you bring your luggage with you to the cathedral and have a cab lined up for 1:30 - and also let the guide know your train time?

yk

Thanks! I guess I won't take the tour, but rather just enjoy the town in the morning. I don't think I'll enjoy the tour if I keep worrying about catching the train. Plus it's a train/bus combo that gets me to LHR for my flight back to US. It's a train I really cannot miss!

I actually haven't booked the B&amp;B yet. I made a few inquiries and fortunately there are still some availability. I just emailed Sarum College this afternoon and see if they have anything available.

nyse

Thank you Noe for this invaluable report -- I just made reservations for the Salisbury Cathedral Tower tour and will be referring back to your postings!

moonrise

A wonderful trip and report!Thank you so much. I learnt so much and could feel your enjoyment in your great writing style and beaut photos!
moonrise

milliebest

I also love churches and I love church music including Gregorian chant -I know you're laughing!

I love to go to mass if the cathedrals are working churches.It doesn't have to be just Roman Catholic. Were you able to attend services or concerts in any of these churches?