Tired - Helen sent text at 3am and alarm had to be set for 5.45am as we are back into touring mode - start of 13 day British Isles tour.
Good breakfast.
We all turn up at 7.30am as we were told to but nothing happens. So many different tour groups milling around. Two Insight groups so potential for confusion is high.
Tour director eventually turns up - sometime around 8.20. Hair dripping - was it sweat or just out of the shower??? Full of apologies but no explanation. He does have a dry sense of humour and is knowledgeable.
Leave London. Nervous about whether suitcases are on bus. Drive through lovely scenery. We leave the motorway at Banbury (Banbury Cross). We see thatched roofs as we drive through the Cotswolds.
First stop is Stratford-Upon-Avon. Drive around to get the layout. Park bus and go to birthplace of Shakespeare (as the tour director says “There can be few men who have caused so much misery to so many” Tina shuddered!). Excellent visit and I buy a Bill tie. We go down to the river to see barges on river/canal and statue of Bill.
I see a guy wearing this cool t-shirt: Sex, Drugs and Sausage Rolls.
Drive to York. Lunch at average motorway rest stop. I have a crappy Wimpy burger.
Go to hotel in York (Hotel 53, room 301). Given strict instructions by tour director not to go to rooms or wander away etc etc and then watch in frustration as time slips away as he is doing admin stuff that he should have been done this morning - had he been there to do it. Happy to see suitcases unloaded. Two couples we have dinner with later that evening are just as angry with the tour director and have no confidence in him. Tina predicts disorganisation.
Tour director takes us on a walk of York. Very interesting eg the Shambles and York Cathedral. Free time. We go into York Cathedral and Tina pays to go into it properly. Absolutely stunning is her comment.
When she comes out we have late afternoon tea at the famous Bettys - a traditional tea house where the waitresses wear long black skirts with white blouses (“no short-cuts, no microwaves”; “mobile phone free”). We have their blend of tea and share a Warm Yorkshire Fat Rascal – “a large plump fruity scone made with citrus peel, almonds and cherries; warmed, with butter.”
Good group meal in hotel. Very tired.
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My dearest sister
ReplyDeleteYou might like to know that, like a number of others, I read Martin's blog on a daily basis...which does mean that i am aware that you did the tour of Anfield - I am very envious!!
What it also means is that you do not need to send me a text at 1.05am on a Monday morning to let me know that you have visited the Holy Grail...I ALREADY KNEW THAT. Don't let it worry you that I spent at least the next hour trying to get to sleep...
And one for Martin - how do you warm a scone up with butter?????????
Your ever loving and very tired brother and BIL
Ah yes, being woken up by texts in the middle of the night/early morning ... annoying isn't it? Thanks Uncle Mike!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to go to work, rather than hopping on a tour bus!!