Sixteen Texans in England and Ireland in June
Jul 5th, 2017, 07:20 AM
#21
>>So…<< . . . Is that a pregnant pause 
Sounds like Romeo and Juliet was a hit. About 12 years ago a friend and I had a treat -- the Globe presented R&J to celebrate Midsummer night w/ curtain at <u>midnight</u>. From my TR >>I love Romeo and Juliet and this performance was really good. But sitting in the cold at 3 a.m. after the two lovers are dead and the priest goes on (and on) explaining what has just transpired -- I just wanted to YELL "enough already, We're freezing out here - step it up a bit!" Just kidding, I was warmly dressed, but one forgets how protracted the end of the play is. We had great seats - bought last Feb. as soon as I heard about this performance. We rented cushions but not blankets - but most of the groundlings were drinking hot beverages and were wrapped up in the Globe's red blankets.<<
Sounds like Romeo and Juliet was a hit. About 12 years ago a friend and I had a treat -- the Globe presented R&J to celebrate Midsummer night w/ curtain at <u>midnight</u>. From my TR >>I love Romeo and Juliet and this performance was really good. But sitting in the cold at 3 a.m. after the two lovers are dead and the priest goes on (and on) explaining what has just transpired -- I just wanted to YELL "enough already, We're freezing out here - step it up a bit!" Just kidding, I was warmly dressed, but one forgets how protracted the end of the play is. We had great seats - bought last Feb. as soon as I heard about this performance. We rented cushions but not blankets - but most of the groundlings were drinking hot beverages and were wrapped up in the Globe's red blankets.<<
Jul 5th, 2017, 07:56 AM
#22
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Janis--Our school is so small we have only been able to consider an international trip every other year, since I began such in 2011, so in a year I'll see how I feel, what my future looks like, and if there's enough interest to begin the planning process again. So...yeah, we'll see!
That RandJ sounds like a real adventure; we had heat to contend with this production (although since we were almost all in some shade almost the entire time, it was not bad).
OK, here're the account of the last full day, as we went on to Dublin:
<b>Day 9—Travel to Dublin and a brief city walk</b>
We were to be at Earl’s Court by 6:30 to catch a 6:39 Tube to LHR Terminal 5; according to TfL, another Terminal 5 Tube wouldn’t be long for 20-25 minutes, and my goal was to be at LHR 3 hours before our 10:35 BA flight. (LandL would not be going to Dublin but flying home this day from London.) The guys got a bit of a late start, so all the ladies went on to LHR; they caught up with us in the BA check-in area.
We checked in with no issues and arrived in Dublin pretty much on time. We got our bags and headed toward the taxis, while R headed to get her Leap card for her extended stay in Dublin. The shuttle for airport transport to and from our hotel did not run in the afternoon, so I’d budgeted for taxis. P wanted to try Uber, so he arranged transport for guys and himself. I led ladies outside to the taxi queue. Put 4 in a taxi with the Travelodge (Dublin Airport South) hotel’s address. The man at the taxi stand called for a van for the 5 remaining; it arrived quickly. A 15 or 20 minute ride later, we were all 13 at Travelodge South. Our taxis had cost about €16 each; Uber was $26. So in this case, Uber was not a bargain in Dublin.
Our rooms were ready, at almost 2, so we checked in. No AC—that wasn’t a factor when I made the reservations! Oh, well, nice and roomy, and lobby was cooled.
My plan had been to probably use the bus, as a stop was across the street, to get into the city center somewhere, but…it was still hot (hottest this year in Dublin, I think—over 80) and not sure how to use buses, you need exact change, etc. So I got the receptionist to call 2 cabs big enough for the 13 of us for 2:30. We didn’t have a firm plan for our city-walk; R had done a lot of research, but neither of us had been to Dublin and we hadn’t known what the afternoon would look like when we were actually there. Well, it was hot, we were exhausted, and we’d need to eat about 6 or so.
(Meanwhile, R had had a little trouble figuring out the bus route and was going to miss her 3:00 appointment to get keys at the Air BnB, but she called the agent and met him a few minutes after 3. She and I arranged to probably meet at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.)
We all piled in the 2 van-cabs and headed to Trinity College. From there we just meandered, using phone and paper maps, through some of Dublin, admiring the architecture, weaving through the crowds, enjoying the green spaces and squares. I didn’t have much info to impart; most of what I might have recently learned about what we were seeing had fled my brain by this point in the trip!
We walked through a bit of the beautiful grounds of the College (no time for Book of Kells, which R had a ticket to see the next day), popping in a couple pretty buildings’ entrances/lobbies. We found our way to the Oscar Wilde Memorial in Merrion Square and then on along the northern lanes in St. Stephen’s Green. R was waiting for us at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where at 4:30 we would still have almost an hour to look around, so we paid for an un-scheduled (but still within budget) visit. And glad we did. It reminded me a bit of St. Giles in Edinburgh, and those of us who like history and literature found much to learn or see here.
About 5:30 we walked past Christ Church to the riverside and along to Liffey Bridge, looking for a possible place to eat. Crowds were thick and…a mixture of tourists, business men and women, shoppers, and some …shadier-looking folks that made us keep a close eye on our kids!. After walking onto the little Ha’Penny Bridge, P selected the Merchant’s Arch pub at the south foot of the bridge—and a great choice it was, too. We ate upstairs where we could still hear the live music from the bar area on the first floor, and we enjoyed our “pub grub” (with only one small disturbance of a little brawl literally spilling out into the street right below our windows).
After we said our good-byes and good wishes to R, we hailed a couple taxis. (The one for 8 let us take 9 riders, but the driver warned me at the hotel that we wouldn’t always be allowed to do that. I thanked him profusely, tipped him, and said we had to go in the morning so wouldn’t need more taxis, but we’d love to come back!).
Back at the hotel, we just rested in our hot rooms and then slept.
That RandJ sounds like a real adventure; we had heat to contend with this production (although since we were almost all in some shade almost the entire time, it was not bad).
OK, here're the account of the last full day, as we went on to Dublin:
<b>Day 9—Travel to Dublin and a brief city walk</b>
We were to be at Earl’s Court by 6:30 to catch a 6:39 Tube to LHR Terminal 5; according to TfL, another Terminal 5 Tube wouldn’t be long for 20-25 minutes, and my goal was to be at LHR 3 hours before our 10:35 BA flight. (LandL would not be going to Dublin but flying home this day from London.) The guys got a bit of a late start, so all the ladies went on to LHR; they caught up with us in the BA check-in area.
We checked in with no issues and arrived in Dublin pretty much on time. We got our bags and headed toward the taxis, while R headed to get her Leap card for her extended stay in Dublin. The shuttle for airport transport to and from our hotel did not run in the afternoon, so I’d budgeted for taxis. P wanted to try Uber, so he arranged transport for guys and himself. I led ladies outside to the taxi queue. Put 4 in a taxi with the Travelodge (Dublin Airport South) hotel’s address. The man at the taxi stand called for a van for the 5 remaining; it arrived quickly. A 15 or 20 minute ride later, we were all 13 at Travelodge South. Our taxis had cost about €16 each; Uber was $26. So in this case, Uber was not a bargain in Dublin.
Our rooms were ready, at almost 2, so we checked in. No AC—that wasn’t a factor when I made the reservations! Oh, well, nice and roomy, and lobby was cooled.
My plan had been to probably use the bus, as a stop was across the street, to get into the city center somewhere, but…it was still hot (hottest this year in Dublin, I think—over 80) and not sure how to use buses, you need exact change, etc. So I got the receptionist to call 2 cabs big enough for the 13 of us for 2:30. We didn’t have a firm plan for our city-walk; R had done a lot of research, but neither of us had been to Dublin and we hadn’t known what the afternoon would look like when we were actually there. Well, it was hot, we were exhausted, and we’d need to eat about 6 or so.
(Meanwhile, R had had a little trouble figuring out the bus route and was going to miss her 3:00 appointment to get keys at the Air BnB, but she called the agent and met him a few minutes after 3. She and I arranged to probably meet at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.)
We all piled in the 2 van-cabs and headed to Trinity College. From there we just meandered, using phone and paper maps, through some of Dublin, admiring the architecture, weaving through the crowds, enjoying the green spaces and squares. I didn’t have much info to impart; most of what I might have recently learned about what we were seeing had fled my brain by this point in the trip!
We walked through a bit of the beautiful grounds of the College (no time for Book of Kells, which R had a ticket to see the next day), popping in a couple pretty buildings’ entrances/lobbies. We found our way to the Oscar Wilde Memorial in Merrion Square and then on along the northern lanes in St. Stephen’s Green. R was waiting for us at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where at 4:30 we would still have almost an hour to look around, so we paid for an un-scheduled (but still within budget) visit. And glad we did. It reminded me a bit of St. Giles in Edinburgh, and those of us who like history and literature found much to learn or see here.
About 5:30 we walked past Christ Church to the riverside and along to Liffey Bridge, looking for a possible place to eat. Crowds were thick and…a mixture of tourists, business men and women, shoppers, and some …shadier-looking folks that made us keep a close eye on our kids!. After walking onto the little Ha’Penny Bridge, P selected the Merchant’s Arch pub at the south foot of the bridge—and a great choice it was, too. We ate upstairs where we could still hear the live music from the bar area on the first floor, and we enjoyed our “pub grub” (with only one small disturbance of a little brawl literally spilling out into the street right below our windows).
After we said our good-byes and good wishes to R, we hailed a couple taxis. (The one for 8 let us take 9 riders, but the driver warned me at the hotel that we wouldn’t always be allowed to do that. I thanked him profusely, tipped him, and said we had to go in the morning so wouldn’t need more taxis, but we’d love to come back!).
Back at the hotel, we just rested in our hot rooms and then slept.
Jul 5th, 2017, 09:20 AM
#23
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"headed to Fortnum and Mason for a high tea"
Suspect it was afternoon tea (or was it really high tea).
https://www.thespruce.com/afternon-v...ference-435327
Suspect it was afternoon tea (or was it really high tea).
https://www.thespruce.com/afternon-v...ference-435327
Jul 5th, 2017, 09:45 AM
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Thoroughly enjoyed your report. I am planning a trip next year for myself, spouse and a friend, and even that small number has me on my toes. Based on your recommendations, as well as others, we are looking at Ivy Lettings as well.
I, too, like London Walks. Last time we did their Cotswolds/Oxford day trip and enjoyed. On this list this time are Bath (great to see your recommendation, but hope for no train drama), and the Stonehenge and Salisbury tour. Any reason you chose to do this on your own rather than with London Walks?
Hope you are well rested by now!
I, too, like London Walks. Last time we did their Cotswolds/Oxford day trip and enjoyed. On this list this time are Bath (great to see your recommendation, but hope for no train drama), and the Stonehenge and Salisbury tour. Any reason you chose to do this on your own rather than with London Walks?
Hope you are well rested by now!
Jul 5th, 2017, 10:17 AM
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rncheryl--Thanks! Yes, pretty much feel back to "normal" now.
About Stonehenge/Salisbury--Most likely there wasn't a London Walk to there on a day that matched our itinerary. When I decided to use London Walks, I had already purchased our RailPasses, so the day trips had to be on 3 consecutive days. I looked only at the London Walks offered on the days I had chosen for day trips, and Bath happened to coincide. (Our daily itineraries and even which days to go on day trips had to be planned around the plays we bought tickets for.) Plus, M and I had done the Salisbury/Stonehenge thing on our own, so I knew it was doable, although the exact specifics of my group's day ended up being different from what M and I had had.
About Stonehenge/Salisbury--Most likely there wasn't a London Walk to there on a day that matched our itinerary. When I decided to use London Walks, I had already purchased our RailPasses, so the day trips had to be on 3 consecutive days. I looked only at the London Walks offered on the days I had chosen for day trips, and Bath happened to coincide. (Our daily itineraries and even which days to go on day trips had to be planned around the plays we bought tickets for.) Plus, M and I had done the Salisbury/Stonehenge thing on our own, so I knew it was doable, although the exact specifics of my group's day ended up being different from what M and I had had.
Jul 5th, 2017, 11:14 AM
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Hooameye--I wasn't at the tea so don't know what they had; they called it "high tea" so I just quoted those who were there. I know they loved it, said it was quite pricey but worth it, and they didn't eat dinner!
Jul 5th, 2017, 11:59 AM
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irishface--Thanks!
Here's story of our travel home and quite abbreviated TR of R's Irish days:
<b>Day 10—Travel Home</b>
We caught the 6:30 shuttle from the hotel lobby (€3 each) for a 20 minute ride to Terminal 2 of the Dublin airport, arriving before 7 for our 9:55 flight. There I received happy news—Dublin is one of the few airports to have TSA agents, so we did passport control and customs there; when we arrived in Chicago, it would be like a domestic flight and we’d just walk to our gate! Yay! (At 7 when we checked in with AA, we were told to be at the TSA precheck by 8:30; we scattered and got different breakfasts/ snacks, and we went through the pre-check stuff in different groups, but we were at our gate by 9 or so.) When I first got the tickets that AA chose for us, we had a 90-minute connection in Chicago. That didn’t seem enough. And then it was changed to 75. I just did not see how that would be possible. A few AA people I asked said, oh it will be fine or we’ll take care of you. Nobody ever said, oh it will be fine because of the TSA precheck process being on the front end of the trip. So I was relieved…
…for about 2 hours. Then our departure was delayed, despite the plane sitting there, looking ready. It was different equipment, an agent had said it was overbooked, here seemed to be some problem with letting the crew through the ID-check-machine, and they also seemed a bit late to me. In any case we were almost 45 minutes late leaving, and after a pretty uneventful flight, we arrived in Chicago an hour late. We were still taxiing when our next flight was scheduled to board.
But an AA agent met us and had already rebooked us. Well, sorta. We were all on the same flight in an hour or so to DFW, but from there, only 8 were booked on a 6:50 flight while the other 5 were confirmed on a 10:00 and on stand-by for the 6:50. Nobody happy. But we did have rides home; I had to pick the 5 to travel latest if need be, and I elected to get the un-accompanied minors home with the 2 faculty members first (plus younger college lady). But it turned out we all got on the 6:50, so we got home at 8, only 2 hours late, our luggage arrived, and the trip was successfully done!
(<b>And R had a great time in her 5 extra full days in Dublin.</b> She stayed in an AirBandB and mastered (pretty much) the bus system, but she also walked a lot. She’s especially interested in the 1916 events, and she visited the Gaol and other 1916 spots; she saw the Book of Kells; she visited several parks, museums, and memorials; and she arranged 2 day trips with Wild Rover—one long one to Belfast, Giants’ Staircase and Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge on a day so beautiful she could see Scotland and a shorter trip to Kilkenny and the Wicklow Mountains. Her trip home was fraught with delays and lines, but her connections were long enough that she still made flights and arrived home only an hour late—12:30 am, after being pretty much awake for about 26 hours. But safe and reunited with pets, family, friends—and luggage!)
Here's story of our travel home and quite abbreviated TR of R's Irish days:
<b>Day 10—Travel Home</b>
We caught the 6:30 shuttle from the hotel lobby (€3 each) for a 20 minute ride to Terminal 2 of the Dublin airport, arriving before 7 for our 9:55 flight. There I received happy news—Dublin is one of the few airports to have TSA agents, so we did passport control and customs there; when we arrived in Chicago, it would be like a domestic flight and we’d just walk to our gate! Yay! (At 7 when we checked in with AA, we were told to be at the TSA precheck by 8:30; we scattered and got different breakfasts/ snacks, and we went through the pre-check stuff in different groups, but we were at our gate by 9 or so.) When I first got the tickets that AA chose for us, we had a 90-minute connection in Chicago. That didn’t seem enough. And then it was changed to 75. I just did not see how that would be possible. A few AA people I asked said, oh it will be fine or we’ll take care of you. Nobody ever said, oh it will be fine because of the TSA precheck process being on the front end of the trip. So I was relieved…
…for about 2 hours. Then our departure was delayed, despite the plane sitting there, looking ready. It was different equipment, an agent had said it was overbooked, here seemed to be some problem with letting the crew through the ID-check-machine, and they also seemed a bit late to me. In any case we were almost 45 minutes late leaving, and after a pretty uneventful flight, we arrived in Chicago an hour late. We were still taxiing when our next flight was scheduled to board.
But an AA agent met us and had already rebooked us. Well, sorta. We were all on the same flight in an hour or so to DFW, but from there, only 8 were booked on a 6:50 flight while the other 5 were confirmed on a 10:00 and on stand-by for the 6:50. Nobody happy. But we did have rides home; I had to pick the 5 to travel latest if need be, and I elected to get the un-accompanied minors home with the 2 faculty members first (plus younger college lady). But it turned out we all got on the 6:50, so we got home at 8, only 2 hours late, our luggage arrived, and the trip was successfully done!
(<b>And R had a great time in her 5 extra full days in Dublin.</b> She stayed in an AirBandB and mastered (pretty much) the bus system, but she also walked a lot. She’s especially interested in the 1916 events, and she visited the Gaol and other 1916 spots; she saw the Book of Kells; she visited several parks, museums, and memorials; and she arranged 2 day trips with Wild Rover—one long one to Belfast, Giants’ Staircase and Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge on a day so beautiful she could see Scotland and a shorter trip to Kilkenny and the Wicklow Mountains. Her trip home was fraught with delays and lines, but her connections were long enough that she still made flights and arrived home only an hour late—12:30 am, after being pretty much awake for about 26 hours. But safe and reunited with pets, family, friends—and luggage!)
Jul 5th, 2017, 09:52 PM
#29
You asked about your clearence from Dublin to London. Basically Ireland and the UK offer a "Common Travel Area" this is an interesting agreement between Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey etc. It is completely non binding and has been stopped at various times since the 1920s. At any one time countries can drop out.
Right now, access from Ireland to the UK is treated as an internal flight.
Right now, access from Ireland to the UK is treated as an internal flight.
Jul 6th, 2017, 03:07 AM
#30
So glad R got to spend time in Dublin. It is one of my favorite places. I spent last trip doing a mini Bloomsday. Oscar Wilde had a house directly across the street from his statue.
Great trip and one your students will remember. I love pre clearance at Dublin airport.
Great trip and one your students will remember. I love pre clearance at Dublin airport.
Jul 6th, 2017, 04:07 AM
#31
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bilboburgler--Thanks; that is what I thought I had read, but in the midst of travel, I remained bit confused.
Macross--Yes, she did enjoy it immensely. It was her first time to do international travel solo, so she was glad it went so well. Her experience and pictures tempt her dad and me to move Ireland to the top of our "where to next" list!
Macross--Yes, she did enjoy it immensely. It was her first time to do international travel solo, so she was glad it went so well. Her experience and pictures tempt her dad and me to move Ireland to the top of our "where to next" list!
Jul 6th, 2017, 12:53 PM
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Thanks for going along with us as I retraced our adventures in this Trip Report. And thanks to those who participated in the conversation about the <b>trip</b>.
Here are a few general comments:
Would I do this again in the same way? OR What did I learn?
• Would I go to London again? Always, any time!
• Would I go to the other places outside of London again? Personally, I probably won’t return to Bath or Salisbury/Stonehenge, unless showing them to someone who hasn’t been; they are marvelous destinations, but having been to them multiple times now, I’d choose other places for just me. I love Oxford and there are things there to revisit and places there I haven’t seen. If leading a group, these are still probably my 3 favorite day trips.
• Would I lead a group again? Maybe; probably. Ask me next summer when it’s time to begin planning again! I’d never done it. All the pre-planning was time-consuming but enjoyable; the actual “leading” 15 others, many or most of whom have a different approach to travel than I have, was at least as stressful as I anticipated if not more so.
• Would I change anything about this itinerary? Not much. Having the <i>HP</i> plays take up so much of that day is not something that will ever happen again, so I’d be able to spread the events and sites out a little differently, but I would keep everything, I think. I would not book Westminster Abbey group tickets, though. I'm getting feedback from my travelers which I will consider if I ever plan a similar trip.
• Would I fly the same itinerary? Not by preference. If leading a group, I’ll have to check into the group fare savings, whatever our destination, but the itinerary did lend itself to issues.
• Would I use Ivy Lettings? Yes
• Would I do the same thing for booking our different transports? Yes, for the group this year
• Would I use the same hotel in Dublin? Maybe. It worked ok and was really super cheap; it wasn't in an area where there was much to do; I'd probably personally prefer to stay closer to city center OR closer to the airport.
• Was there something I learned to definitely have with me if a group leader…? Mobile phones with plenty of battery power, free texting, and robust mapping app of some sort. This was especially important when needing a way to get in touch with other folks immediately or at least quickly when we weren’t all together.
Here are a few general comments:
Would I do this again in the same way? OR What did I learn?
• Would I go to London again? Always, any time!
• Would I go to the other places outside of London again? Personally, I probably won’t return to Bath or Salisbury/Stonehenge, unless showing them to someone who hasn’t been; they are marvelous destinations, but having been to them multiple times now, I’d choose other places for just me. I love Oxford and there are things there to revisit and places there I haven’t seen. If leading a group, these are still probably my 3 favorite day trips.
• Would I lead a group again? Maybe; probably. Ask me next summer when it’s time to begin planning again! I’d never done it. All the pre-planning was time-consuming but enjoyable; the actual “leading” 15 others, many or most of whom have a different approach to travel than I have, was at least as stressful as I anticipated if not more so.
• Would I change anything about this itinerary? Not much. Having the <i>HP</i> plays take up so much of that day is not something that will ever happen again, so I’d be able to spread the events and sites out a little differently, but I would keep everything, I think. I would not book Westminster Abbey group tickets, though. I'm getting feedback from my travelers which I will consider if I ever plan a similar trip.
• Would I fly the same itinerary? Not by preference. If leading a group, I’ll have to check into the group fare savings, whatever our destination, but the itinerary did lend itself to issues.
• Would I use Ivy Lettings? Yes
• Would I do the same thing for booking our different transports? Yes, for the group this year
• Would I use the same hotel in Dublin? Maybe. It worked ok and was really super cheap; it wasn't in an area where there was much to do; I'd probably personally prefer to stay closer to city center OR closer to the airport.
• Was there something I learned to definitely have with me if a group leader…? Mobile phones with plenty of battery power, free texting, and robust mapping app of some sort. This was especially important when needing a way to get in touch with other folks immediately or at least quickly when we weren’t all together.
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