Across the Pond

That's where we've been touring since we flew from Boston to London on October 17. After a few days there, we flew to Dublin for 2 days and then we've been on a bus tour around various parts of Ireland. Because of the schedule, there hasn't been a lot of any time for blogging as evenings our plan is to get a good night's rest for the next day's activities. Nevertheless, I wanted to post a short update even though it's after 10 pm tonight and past bedtime 😴

From top: Westminster Abbey, London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral

Anyone who has ever travelled with a tour group well knows that there is little time to just do nothing as there's a daily itinerary. On our tour, breakfast is early between 7 and 8 am (earlier than when home) and has been served in the hotels. Luggage has to be set out beforehand to be transferred to the tour bus for transfer to the next hotel. After breakfast, it's time to gather together and board the bus or follow the guide for a city tour or other activity. Most days, these events usually go until 4 and 5 pm.

From top: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Changing of Guard, Buckingham Palace

We spent 3 days in London not nearly enough time because there is so much to see in this city. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit any of the museums or galleries, hopefully on a future trip. A couple of highlights for our NH group was touring the Tower of London, a very gruesome place in its day and watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Oddly, many of the tunes played were familiar ones from the Great American songbook, including several popularized by Frank Sinatra. There were no bagpipes. 

The Great American Songbook is defined as significant 20th-century American jazz standards, popular songs, and show tunes. We heard many that day and it was quite surprising!

We rode on the Underground (Tube) and managed not to get lost even in rush hours. We even lucked out with some sunshine; however, despite ☔️ nearly every day of our London stay.

UK friends, Andrew, Kath and ourselves

Our personal highlight was meeting UK residents, Kath and Andrew, who we first met over 10 years ago coincidentally when they were touring the US. Chatting at breakfast, we learned that we shared the same August wedding anniversary date. For over a decade, we've kept in contact through emails and cards. And, most recently have connected with phone calls using WhatsApp.

Fish & chips, jaunty cart, Blarney Castle, Irish coffee

We're currently on day 6 of a 9-day tour around Ireland. So far, we've been Blarney Castle (didn't kiss the stone), ridden in a jaunty cart, eaten fish and chips (mushy peas too) and Irish stew, enjoyed scones (delicious with butter, jam and clotted cream) and Grenville has hoisted a few pints of the national beverage, Guinness and also bought a tam o' shanter (photos after).

Touring through the Ring of Kerry on an overcast day

We've also taken a boat ride on one of Ireland's lakes, toured the Ring of Kerry, watched the crystal making process at Waterford, attended an Irish house part (music and step dancing) and toured a medieval museum. There's events still to come including an overnight stay in a castle hotel and a medieval banquet. Then it's onto a 3-day stay in Edinburgh and a meet-up with a fellow blogger living in Scotland before heading back to NH on November 1.

Unfortunately, there hasn't been enough time to read your recent posts and it will most likely definitely take time to catch up after we return home as there will be the necessary catch-ups for mail sorting, grocery shopping and laundry as well as posting more details on our travels.

Touring can be somewhat very exhausting, but we can rest up once home. For now, we're having a wonderful series of adventures. And, as has been said — wish you were here.