Merrie Olde England -1

HE SAYS: Greetings family, friends, mates, and maties:

We are back on the air as we are now about to roll to the lauch pad for our forthcoming trip to Merrie Olde England. After the excitement of our long trip to Africa in 2008, and touring sophisticated and modern Spain last fall, we thought we 'd be a bit more staid this time out and try England, Scotland and Ireland (going counter clockwise).


In the first instance , this will be an occasional blog. In the past , we found we were being a bit obsessive about our efforts, so this time it really will be occasional so as not to interfere with our sampling of single malts and over priced pints (L6, or CAD $9). As well, this time we have decided to have a "He Says", She Says" format. This will allow for a muliplicity of views and insights.


Alas, somethings in life don't change. I have read my required histories of England, with IRA songs in the background, and view it as nothing more than another form of tribalism. As well, I have caught up on my back issues of The Economist. Both Eleanor and I have spent many hours watching so-called British literary classics by the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen. Chick lit by any other name, but no doubt haut literature to academics who don't know the difference. Actually, I maintain that the The Full Monty and On A Clear Day are pretty good depictions of contemporary British working class life. But the Brits have really turned mysteries and spy novels into an art form.


We plan to go to London to do some serious (cultural) sightseeing for five days before we hit the hustings on our 26 day tour. True to form I have produced a calendar, no, really, a schedule of events while in London including, 5 museums, 2 West End plays, 1 symphony and an orchestra recital; as an equalization payment Eleanor has insisted on a High Tea at Harrod's and roast beef at the Simpson's on the Strand. We both, however, have agreed on the expected tourist sightseeing rituals. Topping Eleanor's list are the crown jewels and the occasional rolling head in the Tower, while I hope to return to my old reading room haunt at the British Museum, and if no one is looking sit in Karl Marx's chair (that was Harpo Marx, of course).

Hopefully, the weather will be decent. If we bag a Wild Royal will put them on our list with the Big 5.


Cheers,

King Richard I


SHE SAYS: I do need to point out that Richard's entry makes it sound as if he did all the work. Not true! While he was reading about dead kings and queens, I was doing serious practical reasearch about the shopping, restaurants, and interesting sights in each of the places we'll be stopping. Breakfasts and most dinners are included in the tour cost, but some nights we're on our own for dinner and we are responsible for our own lunches, so these things are important. Also, I needed to find out which hotels have gyms and/or swimming pools. Even I, as unlikely as it may seem, might feel the need for exercise after sitting for a few hundred miles every day!


He also makes it sound as if he did all the reading, too. Not true! I decided to research modern Britain through women's popular fiction and detective novels. I'd choose Maeve Binchey or Minette Walters over a history textbook to give the reader a true taste of a country any day!

And I'm the one who finally got bored with Jane Austin and the Brontes and insisted switching to The Full Monte and some modern detective films set in Britain.


I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted just reading about all the plans that Richard has made for us in the 5 days we're in London! He's been there more often than I have, so he does know how huge the city is, but if we manage to squeeze in everything on his list, we'll be running from dawn to midnight and have to forget little things like jetlag, tea times, and loo breaks. (Might as well start talking Brit right from the start, I say.) He seems to think I'll be content to run up to the 4th floor of Harrod's for 15 minutes or so for afternoon tea without checking out everything on the first 3 floors on the way. Silly man!

And unless it's so foggy we can't see a thing, he'll need to take into account the day we'll have to spend standing in line for the London Eye. And how can you visit London without spending a day at Covent Gardens, just wandering? I'm going to push for museums and galleries on rainy days and walking and exploring on dry days. And then I'll pray for sun!

Queen Eleanor