My darling nephew Jason, Navy boy, stationed north of London, picked us up at the hotel and we were off to the English country side. More about him later...in the meantime Stone Henge next stop. A prehistoric monument in Wilshire.
This place has the remains of standing stone set within the earth. Built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC- how's that for pining down the time line. Is it a burial ground? Well, it is now a UNESCO site on the list of
World Heritage sites. Lots of myths going around about these rocks....what's a Druid:? It is a wonder- how did they build it without pulley's and cranes-let alone transport the rocks to this field?
Now owned by the National Trust and they let us in for free. Yes that is right. Rather than the $ 25 each.ticket price, the very nice and smart gal at the booth saw Jay's military id and said....welcome! How's that for some English hospitality?
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As you can see Bubs is thrilled to be in the middle of a hay field with a bunch of other visitors staring at some rocks. Nobody knows where it came from or why they did it? Megalithic? Celestial alignments? And per Bubba "who gives a #%@?
RIDICULOUS ROUNDABOUTSAs we drive the beautiful English country side we go round and round at he roundabouts. These circular intersections, in which road traffic flows almost continually is standardized in the UK. And why? 1. Easier for the pedestrian- are ya jokin? I am scared silly to cross them. 2. Reducing driver confusion- amen Bubs not driving. 3. Able to do a U turn immediately. True, as one continuously gets lost trying to figure out how to get out of the round about. Keep in mind the Arc de Triomphe. The Frenchie's have 30,000 of them. And Bubba says, I rest my case. Never mind Bubs, they are spreading like crazy across the US...200 in Wisconsin, 100 in Kansas and never mind the long time Massachusetts and New Jersey rounds. Is that why they sell those t-shirts saying "I Survived Boston Traffic"?
Jay said they are a huge pain in the keester as they can be in the middle of the highway, slowing him down. Slowing you down? And that would be from the next pub?
And what the heck is "Traffic Calming"? Designing roads for the happiness of pedestrians and cyclists. While popular in Europe, Bubs says it will never fly in the USA. Beep Beep.
Who knew stoplights turned yellow before they turn green?
And I love that the highway signs show miles not kilometers as does the speed limit but everything else is in imperial measurement...hello liters.
And what was all that "Congestion Fee" stuff in London? Do they charge extra if you have a cold?
Speed Cameras. You bet. Not just at the stop light but on the highway.
They snap your pic on the way home and if you're driving over the speed limit a robust ticket and fine is sent to your hacienda. Cheers.
And be sure to pay your road tax at the post office and don't forget your license plates stay with the car when you sell it. No vanity plates across the pond. Bubs you would have to ditch your Florida State University tags.
And Bubs personal favorite...right hand drive on the left side of the road. Thank goodness he wasn't driving.
Boca so enjoys the Brits and the Queens English...well at least the modern day version.....
Lorry-truck
Chuffed to bits-happy
brilliant-awesome
car boot- trunk
bonnet- hood of the car
wind screen- wind shield
nickers-panties
beers sold by the pintchips-fries
crisps-chips
meat pies-fast food
bread pudding-bread
tyre-tire
letting-for rent
fags-cigarettes
No is a two syllable word
tip-the dump
trainers-gym shoes
jumper-sweater
pub-bar
nappy's-diapers
biscuits-cookies
and Bubs favorite, tipping- when you buy the bartender a drink
and for gosh sakes Boca, DON'T SAY FANNY PACK..IT REFERS TO A WOMAN'S PRIVATE BITS!
Who said Boca wasn't bilingual?
BATH-THE HOT SPRINGS OF THE UK
97 miles SW of London, became a city by Liz 1, granting it a Royal Charter in 1590.
Before then, the Romans made it a spa and called it Aquae Sulis. Bath was very popular during the Georgian era, As Charles Dickens described, "taking the waters", it became a hot spot for the English. Pun intended. Thermal springs. And what is the diff between a hot spring and a thermal spring?
And now we understand all the Georgian architecture and the sea of limestone buildings. Bath is a World Heritage Site with 3.8 million folks visiting annually.
And like ALL British towns, loaded with churches. Bath also has 2 Universities and 5 theaters. This placed is filled with bikes and actors in the street. While Jane Austen lived here, she didn't care for it too much. Conversely, we enjoyed the interesting people watching and fudge eating. No time for a spa but always time for a pint.
A lovely town indeed.
We rolled into Cameley Lodge, right outside of Bath. for our overnight accommodations.. Bubs was quite pleased with himself with the "find".
A bucolic setting then....
The next thing you know I notice I am in the middle of in sheep pasture. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Very authentic Lodge, meaning, the toilets could only be flushed with a 39 min interval between you and the last guy. While my English friends are fantastic stone layers there might be room for improvement on the plumbing side of construction. I guess having time for a spot of tea between flushes is what one can do with the wait. . And how about the spigots on the sink. Hot on the left and cold on the right...making it dicey to wash one's kisser. Either your burning your fingers or freezing them. Boca is working hard at mastering the art of washing her face..
AND BY SHEER STUPIDITY I DELETED 300 OF THE PICTURES I TOOK AT STONE HENGE AND BATH.....GRRRR. YUP, SHOULD HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW THIS IPAD WORKED BEFORE VACAY STARTED.
