For all of you that heard I was going to continue to do my blog when I arrived in the UK and up to my departure I am sorry but my computer system insisted that despite the fact that I had all the info I wasn’t really in the UK but the USA and the UK was not workable to hook up on.   GRRRR and sorry again.

 

 

 

So here we go  from the Pre-day 3/30/23—Thurs

One of the group had a friend that volunteered to take us to the airport—since I lived quite a ways away fom the other two memembers of our 3-some I took an Uber ride to one of the lady’s houses and then we all went on and picked up the 3 rd and arrived at the airport over 3 hrs before flight time—which is the minimum time I prefer to arrive at the airport just to be sure everything is all done by real travel time.

All done and all safely boarded and then take off and on our way to the UK on Virgin Atlantic.

 

 

Thorney Tales (6) – St Margaret’s Church, the amazing history of a window

 

Our trip began a few years ago when in 2019 we began the plan and had all manner of reservations and the like when Covid closed the world to most, if not all travelers and it wasn’t until latetly that we can reschedule our tickets:  Virgin held them for us and we were able to make the flight at no additional cost—-I really like Virgin Airlines.

 

 

Pre-planning isvery important to your trip and involves things like:

1. When (time and day—)I’ve found Thurs the cheapest when going to the UK and I prefer flights controlled by Virgin rather than the Delta Flight which means an afternoon flight—and I like the ones that get in at morning time (flight is 9 hrs which is something you must think about when planning)
2. Also where you’re staying—I  prefer the smaller hotels which are clean and conviently located and offer breakfasts which allows me more more to do something other than eating and sleeping—but other have different priorities I am not condemening your choices just being sure you set it up when you make reservations and the like.
3. You also need the proper paper work–pass ports, find out what you need for the place you’re going—-if you’re just going across your state, provience etc then you’ll need less of that kind of thing but if further then it becomes more important and if your paperwork needs renewed or replaced than time may be a major factor as well.

 

Discover the house at Blickling Estate

 

Anne Boleyn –wife #2

 

Hever Castle:  Anne Boleyn’s Bedroom and Prayer Books

 

 

Of course you can avoid alott of this by taking a tour—with these

most if not all that work is done for you and I have nothing against these tours—I have taken them myself in the past and they allow you to relax and enjoy the surroundings-

–I particularly like tours  to areas I’ve

1.  never been before to see if they are worth my indepth follow-ups.
2.      areas (ie countries, cities etc) that I would like to see but don’t anticipate I want to do an indepth visit.
3.      places where there is a question of stability, safety or limited information about to actually determine:
4. .  Note some places aren’t safe enough to even take a tour to—-its always wise to check with a travel agent and read info on the area  I.e.:
   

   Is Jamaica Safe to Visit in 2023? | Safety Guide

5. Cruises are another way and there are company with ocean landings and others like Viking Cruises that actually do educational programs on landing sites and have sailings within rivers like their German Tours, which have always looked interesting to me.

 

Hampton Court Palace where Jane Seymour gave birth to a son and soon after died.

Jane Seymour—Queen #3

Why Is Charles I Buried with Henry VIII and Jane Seymour?

 

 

Getting around

1. in London I like the subways, they’re easy to navigate and once you get the hang of it you can work with them nicely and the cost is within reason.  Also I have never felt anything but safe in their clean well labeled areas.

     2.  and walking and cabs can be used as needed (please note in some areas the first isn’t always a safe indea and cab can be expensive.

3.  there are also buses but I’d suggest getting something from the city on the route, run time etc before you go the bus route.

      4.  If you’re leaving town you can go by train or bus or rent a car (over 70 years is too old for renting a care in the UK though)

5.  But I often find some towns are just really time consuing to get to and these are another place were (In England I like to add day tours to the possible and if you wanta stay in the town longer than a day’s visit you may well be able to make arrangements to put your baggage on the tour bus—go there by the bus and then book to return on a later bus a few days later—I’ve not done it myself but have seen others do so.

 

Anne of Cleves at Hever Castle

 

Anne of Cleves  Wife #4

Buried at Westminste Abbey

 

Next step who’s going along

1.  Is this a family trip—and if yes does that include kids and if so what ages—-this type of vacation that would fit well in Central Florida  and other places with kid friendly parks—western ranches with horse back riding and animal facilities—and larger town with zoos and the possiilities are endless and can be further refined by age and interest of the child involved.
2. Good frriends with shared interests or that are open to share the adventures of others interests can make for an interesting days out and about—-but be sure everyone is aware of what is planned or hoped for so as to avoid persons being forced into something that might involves activities (driving cars, trips with long walks involved or whatever they might not be interested or that is not within their joy description.
3. If the someones expected to come along are new aquaintance  and lesser known makes going over all the possibilities and the like even more inportant. And to be safe setting up some time out together which includes activities included on the trip can’t hurt.
4. when your setting up your activity give yourself and whomever else some down time daily—and make the schedule flexicle to enable opt out for exhaustion or even boredom to allow you to enjoy doing nothing or going elsewhere as an option.

I guess what I’m basically saying is to make plans fexible—rest and detours mandatory and remember this is a day away from the bustle and hustle that we are so long enjoying

5.  If you’re going to an event–like a Grand Prix in Europe or the 500 in Daytona earely planning needs to be done to get tickets to all events you want to attend—have a hotel that’s comfortable, within price range and convenuently located hotel  or a place to parkthe RV. That kind of thing.

 

8 places associated with Henry VIII’s wives

Katherine Howard—Wife number 5

 

The Tudor Travel Guide

 

 

So our first day was spent on the plane having a few drinks, watching movies in the back of our seats and dozing fitfully in our premium Virgin seats.

other items that you need to work on befoe leaving

1.  Be sure to bring all your prescriptions with you—with enough to last the entire time you’re gone and a few extra wouldn’t hurt
2. Check to see if your health insurance will cover you where ever you’re going—If not you can ask them for referral to some place else that can provide you insurance for your travel.
3. Arranging your transportation to the airport–check all the options from your location to chosen airport to compare prices and does it meet your needs (i.e. physical limitations, luggage, where you’re coming from etc.)
4. Check into STEP if you’re going abroad:  S mart T raveler E nrollment P rogram
   A SERVICE OF THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS
   U.S. Department of State
5. Be sure your luggage fits your needs
6. Check with you cellular company to see if they provide phone service abroad and if not find out what your other option are.

Six Wives of One King:  Tudor Tours

 

 

Catherine Parr—#6 wife

 

Six beautiful buildings linked to Henry VIII’s six wives

 

and obviously the info on the wives is to just show you on how your interest in a subject can give you all manor of places to see and things to do.

 

Tudor History Tours

 

Henry VIII:  the lovely groom

Allison Weir Tours: TudorTapestry

 

 

Weather for the Coronation   Charles III not Henry VIII

 

And remember:  I encourage you to do as I do on my holiday adventures as well as your weekend get aways and daily walks,  that you should not use these times for ticking off sights you’ve seen and things you’ve done–but rather take your time–see fewer things at a slower pace–enjoying rather each place and adventure—taking positive inspiration  for you life from these times–talk to the people you meet for a better understanding of where you are (though I realize that in this crazy day and age this must be done with caution to where you are and whom you could be about to talk to as well as other circumstances for individual safety and avoiding certain areas etc)-learning from the less visited sites is another favorite way to increase my knowledge and build my happiness.  This building a place within you that you can take comfort from in bad times and inspiration for future travel, exploration.  and a foundation for a life well lived.

 

 

 

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