Sunday, September 11, 2022
Don purchased first class tickets for us so we are waiting in the Delta sky club with free food and drinks. Because we are flying overnight, Don upgraded us to first class so we will have pods to sleep in. We flew that way another time and it was so much better than trying to sleep in airplane seats.
We should arrive in Manchester, England at 7:30 AM tomorrow. We will rent a car and drive to Scotland. We are going to Linlithgow to visit Kevin Laah for a couple of hours. And then we will head north to the highlands of Scotland.
I am very excited to be going on this trip finally. We were supposed to go last May, but we got exposed to Covid and had to reschedule. Anyway, we are now on our way.
Street View Orlando MCO Map
Monday, September 12, 2022
We landed a little late, not bad though, but the jet way at our gate at Manchester airport was not working so we had to wait 20 minutes or so for a stairway to be wheeled to our airplane. It was about a mile walk to the immigration and baggage claim area. No wait at immigration but a 30 to 40 minute wait for baggage and then we had to wait another half an hour for a shuttle to the car rental village.
We rented a small, white Ford Puma. we got all our bags in the car and then went to pay inside with our USAA Visa card. There was a problem, none of our charge cards were accepted. After over half an hour Don finally talked to someone at USAA even though it was 5 AM in Texas. He got it all straightened out with them so Our cards would be excepted in the UK. He had contacted them before we left, but somehow, they weren't being accepted.
It was rainy in Manchester but as Don drove the 225 miles to Linlithgow, Scotland the weather cleared and it was a beautiful day. The scenery was breathtaking. We saw thousands of sheep and lots of cows and many huge bales of hay in the fields. The bales were round as well as rectangular in shape.
Don had trouble calling his friend and former work mate Kevin Laah to let him know when we would arrive at his house. He became very agitated at the company that he purchased a a European Sim card from. He thought he had 30 days of unlimited calling, but apparently not. So he paid them more money and was able to call Kevin.
Don is doing all the driving. It is very confusing to me riding on the left side of the car and the road. Don has done very well, only hit the curb once. He encourages me to tell him when he's getting too close to the left curb. I don't know why but most of the roads have a four or 5 inch high curb along the side of the road. It's the turns from the left lane to left lane and so many roundabouts it really throws me off. It's a good thing I'm not driving. We would never make it!
Kevin and Wendy invited us to stay the night at their house so we did and they are lovely, gracious hosts. We all walked from their house to downtown Linlithgow to a pub called The Four Marys. It was named that because Mary, queen of Scots, was born at the castle in Linlithgow and her four attendants names were all Mary. I had a delicious fish and chips dinner, Don had the haggis and mash. Both were excellent. We walked past a bar called the black bitch. Kevin told us the story from where it got its name. Criminals were left on an island tied to a tree. Without food and water they didn't last very long except for one of them. Then the officials found out that the man's dog was swimming out to the island to bring him food. To fix that, the dog, a black bitch, was tied to the tree too. It wasn't long and they were both dead.
We returned to Kevin‘s house, I was exhausted and went to bed. Don stayed up and talk to Kevin for a while. In the morning we left Kevin‘s at 8:30 AM. Kevin and Wendy had to take their son Ewan to work. He is a 31-year-old special needs young man. He is just as sweet as he can be and he's quite an artist. He favorite character is Sonic the hedgehog.
Anyway, we followed Kevin and his family to a soap factory, it is an outlet store that Wendy told me about. I bought several bars of soap. They will make great little gifts for friends and family. We made a few stops today recommended by Kevin.
Street View Linlithgow Map
(Click on image to download video)
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
We spent the Night at Cove Bay in Aberdeen. We took a nice walk along a path high above the coast of the North Sea before we settled in for the night.
Street View Linlithgow Map
Street View Culross Map
Street View Charlestown Map
Street View Pittenweem Map
Street View St. Andrews Map
Street View Cove Bay Map
(Click on image to download video)
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Stopped at ski resort for a bathroom break and snack. Had a lovely chat with the people there. It was very windy and rainy. Stopped at Glenlivet distillery but all of the tours were booked. We were told they were closed due to Queen Elizabeth's death, but we could go into the family history room and the gift shop.
Next stop was Culloden Battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charles (Jacobites) was defeated in 1746. We walked around and went into a very small cottage that had served as a field hospital. Drove along Loch Ness but didn't see the Monster. It's a very long and deep Loch.
Came back to Inverness and spent the night at "The Coo's Guest house B & B. First walked along the river and into city center for a little shopping. The weather was pleasant, mid 60s and mostly sunny. Had dinner at a pub.
Street View The Highlands Map
Street View Loch Ness Map
Street View Inverness Map
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Drove along Loch Ness again. Beautiful scenery all the way. Saw the Eilean Donan Castle.
Drove on the bridge to Isle of Skye.
Headed toward the town of Portree.
Saw The Old Man of Storr, A rock pinnacle 164 feet in height so named on account of the rocks outline resembling the profile of an old man. We saw the Lealt Falls. Many of the roads were one lane with a passing area for other cars. Don did a great job driving on the left side, but going on the narrow roads was quite stressful. We had enough of the Isle of Skye so we cancelled our B & B there went to the ferry. I helped Don navigate with the car's GPS. It's hard for him to drive on the left side of the narrow roads and look at the screen at the same time.
I wanted to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct as seen in the Harry Potter movies. We stopped there and walked up a switchback path for a better view. It was great to actually see it. After that we drove for 15 miles on a one lane road to see the water fall where Philip and Lana Aylesworth were married.
We were unable to see Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles, because we got there after dark.
We are staying at a motel south of Glencoe. It's good to be off the road.
Street View Glenfinnan Map
Street View Isle of Syke Map
Friday, September 16, 2022
Stopped at a site outside of Dryburgh, Scotland and walked to a statue of Sir William Wallace. Then we went to the ruins of the Dryburgh Abbey. It's quite cool and windy today
We arrived at Chris's house in North England. Sallie Anne and their son, Oliver, fixed dinner for us.
Street View Dryburgh Map
Saturday, September 17, 2022
We drove to see a huge horse carved on the side of a mountain at Sutton Bank. We walked around a bit at a lovely park.
Then we drove to Whitby by the North Sea. It's a resort city and has the ruins of an Abbey. We walked around and had a nice dinner there. We bought a very large stick candy. Chris said it's traditional to buy a "stick” when you go on holiday to the seaside. Later on a man told us that holiday comes from "holy day” which was the only time people had off of work.
Spent the night and are heading for more adventures tomorrow.
Street View Thirsk Map
Street View Sutton Bank National Park Centre Map
Street View Whitby Map
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Crossed the River Tees into the County Durham.Heading toward Stockton on Tee nearest town to Chris and Sally Anne. We had a lovely walk around the Tees Barrage. Chris goes rowing out of a boathouse close by.
Chris drove to Osmotherley where we had a delicious Sunday lunch of roast sirloin with Yorkshire Pudding.
We drove a little farther and stopped to walk around an old town reservoir.
Then we can back to Chris & Sallie Ann's house. They were gracious hosts and have a lovely home. Makes me want to declutter my house. She had one beautiful blue stoneware set of dishes. Rooms are smaller than ours. Bathroom fixtures are certainly more compact.
Street View Osmotherley Map
Monday, September 19, 2022
There were several large screen TVs. We sat near one and were able to see very well. It felt like we were part of the ceremony at Westminster Cathedral. We sang the hymns and prayed the prayers with the people there. It was a very moving experience especially when we sang "God Save the King”.
We were going to visit an Abbey but it wasn't open today. We drove on to Harrogate And walked around to the city center and then to a beautiful park called Valley Gardens.
We drove on to Leeds, arriving at our hotel, Ibis. We settled into our room and then went for a walkabout. We wanted to see how far it is to the train station. We'll be taking the train to Sowerby Bridge on Friday where we will board our rented "Narrow Boat”
Street View Ripon Map
Street View Harrogate Map
Street View Leeds Map
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
We then went to Saltaire. It was a planned community for a textile factory owned by Sir Titus Salt in the mid-1800's. We had lunch at Roberts Park. Then we drove the Sowerby to scope out the train station and walk to the dock for the narrow boat we will be taking on Friday. It was a very narrow country road with beautiful views of hills and valleys. We took a motorway back to Leeds.
In Leeds we walked from our hotel to the University. We will be picking Kaylee up at the Leeds airport tomorrow.
My impression of Leeds is not that great, very metropolitan. People are not as friendly as out in the rural areas. Lots of Asians and people from other cultures. Lots of young people, as with any college city, most on their phones as they walk down the streets.
Street View Leeds Map
Street View Saltaire Map
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
We ended up going to Manchester airport to pick up Kaylee. It was so good to see her. Don dropped me off at the terminal. He couldn't believe they charged him 5 pounds to just drop me off. He went to car rental village to get a different car because the right front tire on the one we were using had a big bulge. Probably caused by hitting a few left side curbs.
Anyway, we got Kaylee, but not her checked bags. She missed her connecting to Amsterdam at JFK in NY due to Delta. She had to go to Dublin, then Manchester on a different airlines. We don't know where her luggage is.
We drove back to Leeds and went to her new residence. Then we went to her old house and got the stuff she left there. All of it would fit in the car except for me. I walked back to our hotel, it wasn't too far.
When Don and Kaylee got back we went to a store called Morrison's so she could purchase toiletries. We went to the Turtle Bay Caribbean restaurant that Kaylee likes. She introduced us to a Marley Mojito which was quite good. We walked back to our hotel. I stayed there and Don drove her back to her house.
Street View Leeds Map
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
Thursday, September 22, 2022
When we got to the course Kath was out in the launch, but Chris came over to say hello. He is an official there as well as rowing in a double in one of the races.
The weather was nice. We walked around the course. There must have been 3 or 4 dozen swans as well as geese and ducks on the water. It was just beautiful to see them.
We had a nice lunch with Kath. Chris had to go back to officiating work. I had steak and ale pie and it was delicious.
We drove 2 1/2 hours back to Leeds airport so we could try to track down Kaylee‘s luggage. She filled out a form and we hope for the best. We took her back to her house and we went to our hotel.
Street View Peterborough Map
Street View Leeds Map
Friday, September 23, 2022
The train ride was nice. We got off in Sowerby Bridge and walked about half a mile to the narrow boat dock. We were about an hour early so we had lunch at the nearby pub.
On return to the dock we received a half hour lecture and lesson on how our narrow boat works. I listened, but not a lot of it sank it. Our boat is named the Suffolk and is 48 feet long by 9 feet wide. There is one double bed toward the stern and one single in the bow which serves as a gathering area and kitchen area. It is quite comfortable.
The shire cruise people helped us through the first lock showing us how to open and close it. I wasn't much help. I am so glad that Kaylee is with us. This is so far out my comfort range. We made it through the next two locks just fine. We were going down the canal with three men on another boat. We went through the locks with them, but I wasn't very much help. As we were preparing to go through the fifth lock I was getting off the boat to try to help and I fell into the canal. The water is very, very cold and I panicked a little because it happened so fast. It was too deep for me to stand up and the bank was a stone wall.
Two of the men from the other boat came over and helped Don drag me out of the canal. I was totally soaked, of course, and very cold. I lost my glasses in the water and I was afraid that my hearing aids and phone would be ruined. Don said he saw my glasses in my hand at one point. I think I had them but I let go of them. Kaylee jumped into the water because she thought she could stand up right next to the wall, but it was too deep. She was trying to find my glasses. I appreciated that so much.
I went into the boat to take a shower and change clothes. I had a little cry and then I started laughing and decided to make the best of it. I am a little worried because I didn't bring that many clothes with me and my new walking shoes were completely soaked. They were supposed to be waterproof 🤣 Guess that doesn't
By the time I was dressed and ready we had gone through the fifth lock and were moored in Elland. Kaylee took a shower and got dry clothes on and then we walk to a Morrison‘s store. The only shoes we could find in adult sizes were slippers so Kaylee and I each got a pair of them since my shoes were all wet and her's were not good for a lot of walking.
We walked back to the boat and then to a pub nearby called the Barge and Barrel. Kaylee introduced me to a hard berry cider which is very tasty. We also had a light dinner there and we visited with a few of the other narrow boat cruisers. They all had a good Laugh at my mishap, and I laughed at myself too.
Back at the boat we sat together in the common area and had an adult conversation with Kaylee. She has struggled with depression for nearly ten years. I'm so happy that she opened up to us. I have never felt closer to her.
Street View Sowery Bridge Map
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
Street View Elland Map
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
Saturday, September 24, 2022
One time there was a couple celebrating their 50 th anniversary at one of the locks. They were on a weekend holiday with 8 members of their family. The parents were explaining how the locks worked and I let them help open and close the gates. We chatted with many nice people along the way. In general, Yorkshire people are friendly and polite. I have a hard time understanding what they say because of their accent. We moored the boat in Brighouse and walked to a pub called "The Calder”. We had a nice meal and 2 for 1 pitchers of Long Island Iced Tea”.
We got back to the boat and decided to head back to Sowerby Bridge because Kaylee wanted to get back to her house and get her room in order before school starts tomorrow. So we went through three locks and moored in a wooded area for the night. We enjoyed another evening visiting with Kaylee. She shared with us how much she needed this trip and that she thought I was a good grandma. Don a bit of a grump sometimes, but still a good granddad. She said it did her good to see us happily working and being together. We had a big emotional group hug and a few tears.
I thank God we've had this time with her. My opinion of her has changed a lot. She's not the spoiled, selfish brat I thought she was. She is a beautiful young woman, who struggles with depression. I feel that I understand her so much better now. I want to stay in closer touch with her and let her know that she can always talk to me without judgement or guilt.
Street View Brighouse Map
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
Street View Elland Map
(Click on image to download video)
Sunday, September 25, 2022
We started on our journey again about 8:30. I wasn't going wake Kaylee up, but she got up on her own to help us get through last 6 gates. We arrived at the Sowerby Bridge dock at 1:00 pm.
We went to the "The Moorings” and had a nice lunch with Kaylee. We all had "Old Mout Cider Berries & cherries with lunch. We walked back to the boat, Kaylee got her stuff, and then we walked her to the train station. She headed back to Leeds on the 3:40 train. Don and I walked around a little and then back to the boat where we are spending the night.
The narrow boat adventure turned out to be very enjoyable. It started out a little rough with me falling in the canal on the first day. I shall always remember with great fondness this very special time with Kaylee and Don. I admit I didn't realize there were so many locks to open and close. However, once we got into the routine, it was actually kind of fun.
Street View Brighouse Map
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
Street View Sowery Bridge Map
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
Street View Elland Map
(Click on image to download video)
Monday, September 26, 2022
It took 30 minutes on the train and we were in Leeds. We checked at the station to see if we could leave luggage there, possible but quite expensive. Then we headed back to the Ibis Hotel. Don went to check us in and I did a little shopping at the Merrion mall. I Bought a ceramic yellow toast holder and some Christmas cards at a charity shop. Don met me at 11:30.
Kaylee came from her apartment house and met us. We all walked to the Union coffeehouse that she likes and had lunch.Then we headed to Leeds University campus. We walked around and saw the social science building where she will have most of her classes.
Next we walk to the Hyde Park Book Club and had a glass of cider. Don had hot chocolate. Before that we sat on a bench together in park near her house. It's a place she likes to go sometimes to think and be by herself or have a picnic with friends. We stopped by her house, she wanted to show us her room again and that she had gotten her things sorted out.
We stayed there for a couple of hours while we tried to figure out how and when we would head back to Tampa. There is a hurricane named Ian expected to hit Tampa and then Orlando approximately the same time as we're supposed to get to Orlando on Wednesday. We are waiting to hear from Delta as to whether our flight is canceled or not. We still want to leave on Wednesday.
A little after 6 o'clock Kaylee walked with us to a pub she likes and we had dinner. We all like the dirty fries served with jackfruit pulled pork. Kaylee then took an Uber back to her house and Don and I walked to our hotel.
Street View Leeds Map
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Then we walked to the train station and took a train to Ilkley. Don wanted Kaylee to see an English village away from the big cities. We walked around the city center, looked in a few charity shops, and then went to Betty's Cafe & Tea Rooms. We had tea and English scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. It was lovely and we all enjoyed the experience.
Then the shit hit the fan. Orlando airport is shutting down because of Hurricane Ian before our flight was scheduled to get there tomorrow. Kaylee worked with Delta rep by chat and he booked us on a flight to Atlanta and then to Tampa on Friday. So that means 2 extra nights in Manchester😢😟
We took the train to Leeds, walked to our hotel, got luggage, said good bye to Kaylee, and took a cab back to train station. We are now on a train to the Manchester airport.
We arrived at the Manchester airport at 9:11 pm. There was a phone available to call a shuttle to our hotel, but the code didn't work. Don was getting very agitated and angry. There was a telephone number to call, but Don gave his SIM card to Kaylee, so we had no way to call the local number. We went outside and went over to the taxi area. One very nice cab driver helped us by being very kind and calling the hotel on his phone and letting Don order the shuttle. I offered the man 2£, but wouldn't take it. He said he just wanted to help us. There are still good people in this world.
We checked into our room. We could not get the heat turned on, the front desk sent a nice maid and she just had to flip a switch that we hadn't seen. By this time, Don is very hangry. The hotel is 200£/night and not as nice as the one in Leeds and doesn't include breakfast.
Don is so mad and frustrated. I went down to the lobby for a little while to give him time to settle down. We've had such beautiful trip, I don't want it to end this way. We are stuck in Manchester for a couple of days and we have to make the best of it. I told him that and he seemed to take it to heart. This hotel doesn't have any rooms for tomorrow, but there are several around here that do. We'll figure it out in the morning.
Street View Ilkley Map
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Left our big luggage at the hotel and took their shuttle to Manchester airport. Spoke with a nice representative, Natalie, at Virgin Air and she helped us get assigned seats on our Flight to Atlanta on Friday. Don paid for premium seating, but only he had an assigned seat in premium; I was in regular seating. So we should be set there thanks to Natalie. I spoke to Don and tried to settle him down. It has been such a beautiful trip, I don't want it to end so ugly.
It seemed to work, we have enjoyed a day in Manchester. It is a bustling city, but seems less crowded than Leeds. And the streets seem wider and not as much traffic. We took a free bus to the city center, ate at a pub called "The Old Monkey”.
We walked a bit then got on a city guided tour bus. It was supposed to be a hop on, hop off, but it was the last bus of the day so we just stayed on it for the whole round. I wanted to find some charity shops to look in. Don was getting cold and grumpy. Finally we found a charity shop and he bought a Manchester United shirt for 5£ and he was warmer and happier.
We headed back to the train station but stopped at a pub, The Brunswick, for a pint of cider and a beer. We walked back to the train station and took the train back to the airport station. There were taxis waiting and we went to the first cabbie in line, but he said the taxi at the end was the next one. The driver of that cab came back and told to go to the first one whom we had told where we wanted to go. We think maybe he wanted to wait for a longer fare. We were just going to the Holiday Inn Express. He charged us £12 which we thought was steep for a less than 3 mile drive. And he only wanted cash.😟😟
We arrived at our hotel, checked in, and got a good nights sleep. Breakfast was included which it is not at the Clayton.
Street View Manchester Map
Street View Liverpool Map
Thursday, September 29, 2022
This morning we are on the train to Liverpool to tourist a bit. The weather is sunny, but chilly.
We walked to the Albert Dock from the train station and took a tour boat out around the docks. Don wanted to take the ferry across the Mersey, but we got sucked into going on the other one. It wasn't so bad, there was a bar and I got a cider.
After we disembarked, we walked through the tourist shopping area. Then we found the hop on, hop off tour bus. We got off on the 4th of 12 stops at the city library. It's a beautiful building and we were able to go up to the 4th floor viewing gallery and see the city. A very nice city council enforcement officer told us about it right after we got off the train. He also mentioned St. George's Hall.
We took a 2 hour tour of the Hall. It included seeing the large hall where weddings and other events are held. They were setting up for a brew fest so it smelled like beer. The mosaic floor was covered with wood flooring to protect it. Stained glass windows at each end depicted St. George slaying the dragon. The Hall had definite Roman influence. There was also a courtroom, the woodwork was beautiful tiger oak. We saw the the steps where the prisoners were brought up to the dock from the cells below. We saw the cells and they were grim.
Next we went into the concert hall. It was also Roman influenced, refurbished in 2008. All of the gold trim was redone in gold leaf.
We had 2 amazing guides. One mentioned the irony of the posh upstairs St George Hall and the concert room in contrast to the prisoners in cells and standing trial on the lower levels. We walked to a shopping area. We wanted to get something nice for Margaret as she looked after our house during the Hurricane. We found a lovely star pendant necklace and earrings to symbolize that she is a star for taking care of our place and Ginny's.
We went into a pub and visited with the bartender and had drinks. They didn't have food so we went to another one. We both wanted fish and chips for our last night in the UK. We are on the train now back to Manchester. We'll spend the night at the Clayton Hotel where our bags are and then go to the airport in the morning and fly to Atlanta then to Tampa. Margaret says there's still no power at our house. She has moved all the frozen sweet corn to Ginny's freezer because they have a generator.
Note from tour bus Liverpool "Albert Dock” built 1846 on the Mersey River. Suffered damage in WWII. Slavery port. Titanic's owners headquarters here.
Street View Liverpool Map
While we love The Beatles, we had no desire to do the tourist thing of following them around the city. We were so happy to discover that there is far more to Liverpool than them!
(Click on image to download video)
(Click on image to download video)
The ballroom was being setup to be the site of a beer festival. The kegs in the background will contain beer and cider for the event. These were on either side of the hall.
St. George Hall had court rooms, jail cells and the formal Ballroom and Concert Hall all in one huge building.
This door shows the theme made more relevant to Liverpool. The SPQL is a variation of the Roman SPQR which translates to "The Senate and People of Rome." The SPQL is meant to refer to the people of Liverpool.
St, George Hall was built to show that Liverpool deserved to be made a city by the Queen. She did.
