DWLPtravelkids' Guestbook

The kindness of strangers
Yes, we Brits are sometimes eccentric and it's easy to confuse Winchester with Westminster, particularly after 17,639 steps. As I'm a stranger, may I kindly just confirm our sense of humour by mentioning the following: * Winchester is in the county of Hampshire about 70 miles from Westminster and it doesn't have an Abbey or a Palace. * What you call 'wash cloths', we call 'face cloths' for some unknown reason. * Those outsized bath towels, we call bath sheets (aren't they great?). * We have ridiculously large bath tubs in hotels to justify the outrageous prices charged for a room (most of us have smaller tubs or shower cubicles in our homes) . * Clarence House is the London residence of that twit, our future King, Charles and his former mistress, now his unattractive wife, Camilla. * Oh, and the modern statue that you had no idea about is called the Robot Sculpture - it's by the late Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (who, despite the Italian name, was Scottish) and hiding inside it is a ventilation shaft for the Victoria Line tube below. I told you we were eccentric!

You did the eye!!
You are certainly getting around London! When you go to St. Paul's you can climb up the zillion stairs to the whispering gallery, we did it years ago and it really does work, so don't use a cuss word. Ha! Glad you are enjoying one of our fav cities. I remember walking until we were almost groaning. Are you going to Hampton Court? Love that place!

Don't apologize for eating McDonald's!
We all need some comfort food that reminds us of home from time time! I've even eaten McDonald's on my way to photograph leopards in Jaipur, India (though, as cows are sacred there, it was a chicken burger). As for 'afternoon tea', it's become a bit of a ritual here in the UK - my wife and I enjoy these over-priced concoctions on special occasions as frequently as our pensions will allow.

lines on road?
Vayon: The question is actually answered by the caption when you enlarge the picture. In the UK, we have 'zebra crossings' - the big white stripes with yellow flashing beacons at either side. Either side of the crossing are zig-zags, a safety feature which indicates that parking is forbidden in those zones, so this gives road users full sight of pedestrians at the crossing.

Is Martin really still guiding in Shrewsbury?
Martin Wood, one of the body-doubles of Hagrid from the Harry Potter films, showed me and my wife around that historic city in 2011 (Blog: 'Let me tell you about the Romans...' [blog=591853]). You were fortunate to have had him as he has such a wealth of knowledge - and a loud voice that's ideal for talking to groups!

Devon Cream teas and Cornish pasties
My wife's from Devon but we always put the jam on the scone first, Cornish style! Some say that the Pasty actually originated in Devon in the 16th century (the oldest recipe in Cornwall didn't appear until the 18th century). Either way, I make them frequently here at my home in Hertfordshire. Does that make it a Hertfordshire Pasty, I wonder?

I sometimes feel as old as Stonehenge!
My wife's family is from Devon, so it's an area we know well. You are certainly seeing a lot of places in a short time - but, of course, you'll be able to re-visit them when you get home by reading your blogs.

More than a church!
This architecturally-splendid building is actually Westminster Cathedral, the mother church of the Catholic faith in England and Wales.

Great Pictures
Great Pictures; glad you guys are enjoying your fabulous vacation. Dorothy & Lozy

St Paul’s
Looks like a great day of touring! Don’t forget to do St. Paul’s cathedral. You have done so many wonderful ones, you have to do this one for comparison. I loved it. I walked up a bunch of stairs to the top of the dome (inside). Kim opted out.