Monday Mystery

I gave the girls updates daily of my Fitbit results. It was a mystery to Karolyn and Stephanie that my numbers were a bit higher than theirs. Now remember, we weren't always together. Still, to test it out, Stephanie and I checked our numbers and then set off to meet Nancy and Karolyn at a pub. We probably walked about a half mile from Buckingham Palace---maybe a little more. Anyway, the numbers were just about exact, so the mystery was solved! I just walked more!

I had to make an adjustment because my Fitbit didn't even register the first day. I think it had something to do with syncing and the time change. So, I took the whole week's average to get that first day.

Here are the "deets" for the week:

Steps---97,497 (my best day 18,169)
Miles---39.74 (10 miles more than our San Francisco/Yosemite trip)
Flights of stairs---134 (this also includes inclines---only 89 in Yosemite)
Active minutes---3.64 hours (Steph said this is not based on my heart rate, but rather more on speed---that explains one day where I had nearly 16,000 steps, but no (0) active minutes)
Calories burned---14,898 (that means if I didn't eat anything at all, I could have lost 4 lbs. An average woman needs 2000 calories a day to maintain her weight. Now I'm no math whiz, but assuming I only ate 2000 a day---I just stayed even for the week!)
 
No mystery here. I need to take more trips!!

Some of the Sights!

I've been posting every day to spread out our experience. It's almost like having another week of vacation---reliving our escapades. Almost---at least that's what I'm telling myself. Really, it's not the same at all. But the pictures are making me so happy! My list for the "next time" is already so long!

You might want to grab a cup of coffee or a "cuppa" (tea--for you non Brit speakers!---I know, I'm being all British snobby here. You know I'm smitten with Britain!)

Fair warning---this is a long one! These are just some of the places we visited--in no particular order as my photos are scrambled. I don't know what's up with that.

If I never did anything but walk around and look at old buildings, I'd be happy! The details in the architecture are gorgeous!

This was a really interesting tour. It's the last remaining "workhouse" located in Southwell--pronounced "suthul." I've only read about workhouses in books. Families went in to the workhouse--a government run facility designed to punish people for their poverty! Destitution was the lowest of the low---not to be confused with "the innocents"--those elderly who were too sick to work and therefore destitute. Men, women and children were separated and not allowed to mix. Once a week for an hour they were allowed to reunite. They were such miserable places, that no one wanted to go there---but you actually had to qualify to be able to. They were supposed to be unpleasant so people would not want to stay. I never did "get" how they thought that if a family was so desperate that they had to go here, what could possibly change for them to get a job outside in order to leave? That was the part I couldn't really get.

 The countryside throughout England is spectacular!

 I don't really remember where this was---or who's taking the picture---or where the other girls are. Too many "moments" to remember them all!

 This is at Chatsworth House.

Nancy, Pat and Stephanie in front of Chatsworth House. They toured the house, while I spent my time in the garden. There wasn't time for both. My garden pictures are coming soon.

Notice Steph's jacket? I'm the only one of the group who did not bring a sweater or a jacket for the trip. I had been to England in September before and it was hot, so I didn't even think of it. My shoulders were definitely cold in my 'cold shoulder top!"

 Diane snapped this photo in front of the reflection sphere in Nottingham.

On a lark, Gren popped in here at the Bromely House and asked if we could have a tour. When he told the "curator" (I guess that's who he was) that we were friends from America, he let us in---and then proceeded to give us a tour!!

Even though born and raised in Nottingham, Diane and Gren had never been inside. You have to have a membership. There are thousands of very old and many original manuscripts. They are just on shelves everywhere---not locked away behind glass. In fact, members are allowed to handle anything!  Someone asked what their collection was worth. The "guy" said that they never had it valued as they didn't want people to know what it was worth. I'm sure they are insured!

It wouldn't be Nottingham without Robin Hood. This sparked a debate---was Robin Hood real, or fictional. Diane thinks that he was based on a man who robbed the rich and gave to the poor. Now whether his name was Robin Hood is unclear.

 This is the top of the cascading water at Chatsworth. Diane went with me through the gardens.

 I can't remember exactly what this is, but I think it's an old hospital near our hotel in Nottingham.

 I love old gravestones---the engraving tends to be so ornate.

 Just an awesome little street--everything was so clean too!

Front view of the Council House in the plaza (I don't think they call it that---I guess I'm not as fluent in Brit speak as I like to think I am!)

This is the clocktower courtyard at Hampton Palace (home of King Henry VIII). This clock has been keeping time since 1515!! Unbelievable! I have a clock from 1986 that's not running!

The palace gardens. I didn't have time to explore them on this trip. We could have spent the entire day here---actually, we just about did. Back on my list--for sure.

 Stephanie and I outside of Windsor Castle.

 Broad view of Windsor Castle.

We arrived at Heathrow on Saturday. On Sunday, the first thing we did was the "hop on hop off" bus tour.

 All of us in the rose garden at Hampton Court.

This was another "trick" that Gren pulled off! The Council House was closed when we arrived. Gren introduced his American friends and the next thing we knew, we were inside with a private tour! We had to have a photo with the queen!

 I don't even remember which church this is---we saw so many.

 The backside of Chatsworth House.

The kitchen courtyard of Hampton Court. They cooked for 300-400 people every day. The king and some other nobles had 44 courses! If you were lesser, you got 22. I can't imagine! No wonder Henry was so large!

 I loved how this grave marker honored firemen! Heroes with grimy faces---that really sums it up!

 Another beautiful church. I have no idea which one!

I had to include this picture of Diane's house. Those windows!! I love the detailing of the leaded glass. She has a lovely row of flowers lining the wrought iron fence--I should have gotten a shot of them. Inside there are three levels of charm! We had such a perfect evening. Gren greeted us with wine---me with tea---and this sign:

We had our book club discussion on The Forgotten Seamstress. This book tied right in with our Jack the Ripper tour. Butch scoffed when Stephanie and I told him what we learned. We're definitely sold on the fact, that Jack was "put up to it" by cohorts of the royals--protecting the throne from scandal and bastard children! Yes, it's true. And the Masons were involved. And then there's the insane asylum---doesn't just about all English literature include one of those?

During our discussion, Diane's daughters and grands arrived. Gren made us tapas for dinner---so many fabulous dishes. We had a perfectly relaxing evening with the family. They made us feel right at home. Plus, I think Stephanie was happy to spend time with a few younger people!!

This is one church where Gren's magic didn't work! It was closed and the "guy" we saw didn't seem interested in letting us in. That's okay, we saw a fabulous one just a couple blocks away!

While we were on the "hop on hop off" bus tour, we came to a dead stop here. You would think they might tell us what this building was and it's significance, but, no. It's called the Bluecoat School. Due to clothing and mannequins in the window, we surmised that it must have been a place to learn to sew. We couldn't have been more wrong! I looked it up (because I'm that nerd that wants to know EVERYTHING!). This is one of many schools throughout London. This one was built in 1709 as a school for the poor. The boys were identified by their uniforms which included the blue coat and yellow socks. Now if that didn't set you apart---talk about politically incorrect!! It was a school until 1926. Now it's owned by a fashion designer--hence the clothing in the windows.

 Our arrival at Hampton Court. I finally made it!!! You can read about my former fiasco here.

On our walking tour of Nottingham, we came across the entrance to the castle. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovation. Just another reason I want to go back!

We ended our trip with a fabulous dinner at Mr. Mann's. 

It was my introduction to Cantonese food. We LOVED it! The perfect ending to a perfect trip. Everything was perfect---the weather, the food, the sights and most of all, the friends!

We all agreed that this was an amazing trip. Even Stephanie---who is a book club member and knew what to expect---had a great time. Actually, she thinks my friends are a lot of fun---even if we drove her crazy with the crossing the street thing. She was pretty bossy about it. At one point, someone said, "who brought her?"

I did. And I'd do it again!

The Pubs

There are so many things about the pubs in England that I love. 1. The names are so unusual and fun. 2. Often times, there are gorgeous flower boxes attached. 3. You can grab a quick bite of traditional British food. Here are just a few of the ones we stopped at---I didn't get photos of them all, nor do I remember all the names. 

This was the first one that Nancy, Karolyn and I stopped at on our very first day. I took this picture before we went in. As it turns out, it was too crowded, so we didn't end up getting a drink here.

 Nancy and I stopped here at The Henry Holland after shopping at Selfridges. Those flowers!!!

The guy running this pub was quite a character! He said he was going to fix me up with a special concoction. Too many drinks to remember exactly what was in this one. I do remember that it was good. When I decided to take a picture of it, I noticed that it almost looked like Nancy was taking a sip. So, I told her to "pucker up!" I was laughing so hard. I entertain myself all the time! I wanted to post this one on Facebook, but Nancy said "no" since she didn't want her daughters to think all she was doing was drinking! Anyone that knows us knows that we enjoy a good cocktail, but usually never more than one of two. It's almost more about the atmosphere and people watching! Our "guy" didn't disappoint! He was so fun! He spent time chatting us up and then gave us tube instructions to get back to our hotel.

After touring Windsor Castle, we stopped at this pub for lunch (in Windsor). We really liked all of our food. Imagine our surprise, later that night, AFTER our Jack the Ripper tour, when we stopped at another pub in White Chapel called Woodins Shades. Turned out to have the exact same menu and dishes as The Carpenter Arms. What are the odds of ALL the pubs in London that we would choose one that was part of a chain? The service wasn't nearly as good this time. Plus we learned that it's really hard to find food after 9:00 p.m.

The next day, we went to Hampton Court Palace. I had my heart set on having tea there at the Palace Gardens Cafe. Even though September is my favorite time to visit England (still nice weather, but no crowds) it's considered off season. After being disappointed with the tea offering at Highclere Castle a few years ago, I wasn't taking any chances this time. Prior to going to England, I had this back up already in the plans. I'm so glad I did. Not only was it beautiful, the food was delicious! Another thing about traveling in September, we never had to wait with 6 people!

 On the first day we arrived in Nottingham, Gren and Diane met us at our hotel. They took us on a walking tour of the town. We stopped here at Pitcher & Piano.

Now this is what I call "going to church!" I think it's such a good idea to re-purpose these historic buildings. They are full of history and beautiful art---here the gorgeous stained glass windows and architectural elements.

 Diane snapped this photo from the choir loft. We didn't have a drink here because Gren had something else in mind for us.

 Sadly, not only did I NOT get a photo of the place we stopped for gin & tonics, but I don't remember the name either! Too many fun places to remember everything---and I didn't have any time to journal my trip. (Side note: Butch journaled his trip to Portugal and I was/am so jealous! He's got all the details!) Anyway, we had already been introduced to this gin--lemon flavored. The gin and tonics are so light and refreshing! I started hunting for Sipsmith at home. Finally, on the third store (Butch's favorite) in Cool Springs, I spoke to a guy who turns out to be from London. He knew exactly what I was talking about. He said it was the BEST gin for G & T's. They only had the regular gin in the Sipsmith brand, but he ordered me the lemon flavored. It will be here next week. I hope it makes it in time for my sister's crop next Wednesday!

Back to Nottingham. Here we are at the oldest Inn in all of England--"Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem." We stepped in to take a look. It's unbelievable how old it is--dating back to 1189! It's set in to the side of a cliff and has caves underneath. We didn't go down there.

You've heard of Nottingham lace? Well, we strolled down the street where all the lace houses were located. Today, many have been turned in to pubs. Actually, now that I think about it, I need to go back to Nottingham and spend the day just going from pub to pub having a "pint." That would be beer---although I don't drink beer. I'll stick with the G&T's.

On our very last night in Nottingham, Stephanie, Karolyn, Nancy and I stopped at one last pub. Again, I can't remember the name, but here, the specialty of the house was a rhubarb gin & tonic. I have never had rhubarb before, but I quite liked it in this drink!

This made me so happy! Just like Ireland, I asked for hot chocolate with Bailey's at two different places and both made it for me!! It's so delicious. I could have had it every night, but didn't. It's just not calorie friendly.

We tried to get in to this pub one night after dinner, but it was too crowded---especially for 8 people. 

Considering, I'm not a "bar" person (I'm not really much of a drinker), when I'm traveling, that's one of my favorite things to do. I love stopping, taking a load off, getting the specialty of the house, people watching (especially if it's outside) and having a chat with my traveling companions. Visiting local pubs has become part of the vacation experience. I'd say it rates up there AFTER TEA!!!