The Hobbit may be leaving the shire again

[Rahmota]

Okay. I have been authorized to discus the reasons behond my sudden interest in travel in europe. Aside from the discussion I was involved within which ended when the person said whatever and turned off the discussion. (They are a bit amerocentric) my friend who was in the Navy has sprung upon me the idea that we may be travelling to europe next summer.

He came into some money through back pay and stuff and his new job that allows him the luxury of doing this and taking me along with all expenses paid. He chose me as I am the one friend of his that he trusts to have his back that also has a flexible enough lifestyle/job to do this. He's going to be paying my way through the whole thing. I have been told by the wives that I am going to do this or else.

Now we are plannign on spending probably 75% of our time in the UK (ENgland Wales and Scotland) a side trip to Ireland and then France, Italy and Germany in that order with any other countries/sites along the way that fancy us.

If you thought I was OCD/paranoid about my trip to washington that pales in comparison to this. I was at least goign to be in the same country on that one.

Right now we are in the research and development phase of mission planning. He has a maximum budget that we will have to stay within. We have a preliminary mission profile worked out so far but I am willing to listen to any suggestions/ advice/ concerns comments from the peanut gallry here. Given the good advice and all I got for my trip to Washington which I dont know if I expressed enough appreciation for you all on that I figure there should be quite a few good idea floating around thank to the brainpower.

[Bella_Vixen]

Take me along? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease? I won't take up much space and I don't eat much!

[Der Cute]

I did a 3 week trip to the UK about 4 years ago.
I stayed in a hostel in London (Kings X) - around $30 a nite.

After that, I went to Birmingham, to stay with a friend. Sleep was free, so was food. After staying with him, I went to Leeds. Had another place to crash at.

That's what saved my $$ - having a place to stay. Lodging is bloody expensive. Really.

My advice- if you want to be cheap and backpacky like college kids - use hostels. Use a bus pass. Use a tube (london subway) pass. If you don't care too much about the money, you can stay in some suburb hotels. Downtown/ Proper London is horridly expensive. DO NOT RENT A CAR THERE. BUS BUS BUS BUS BUS and tube and BUS.
Trains between towns if needed, much easier than driving.

Go search online for hostels overseas uk london....you'll turn some good stuff up. Look at the ratings!!! Important. That will help you.

I got into London, took a train from Heathrow, up to Kings X, got off, and was immediately lost. Had to ask directions. Don't be scared- people there are very very nice. Got to hostel, couldn't get room - had to eat..

Food prices are relatively expensive. Imagine your standard combo at KFC for a dollar or 2 more. And cut the food by 20%. Portion sizes are different. VERY different. Prices are close-ish to ours. You can pay with an American Visa or MC. The bank here will do the changes. You have to pay 2.76 gbp for dinner? Zap card, just fine. Bank will receive charge and change 2.76 to 4.50 usd.

ATMs are almost on every corner and very very easy to find. First day in - go take out a couple hunnerd quid. Oh, before you leave USA - goto a main bank and tell them you need 50 gbp. (you're going through airports) Just do this to cover your ass. Get the cash, save it.

Make sure you take a camera, and extra batteries with you.

Write down an inventory list of what you're taking on the trip. Keep a copy at home, and one with you on person. If the things get stolen/ lost, you're covered.
Include 1800 #s for credit cards.

Write down a list of what you're allergic to medical wise. Keep this and a US contact list in your wallet/ passport. (hey, I've got E)

When you pay for the reservations online, print out copies. Keep those with you.

In london, there's a tourist bus (double decker) that goes around the most of London and talks about history/ touristy stuff. Get on it, 3 quid. Cheep and you can get off anywhere and walk if you want, and it's a day pass...if you got on earlier, get back on that tourist bus and get back to where you started.

I went to Kings X, British Museum, House of Parliament, where the Jewels are kept, a 600 yr old church that's on gravel/sand....walked around a lot...Lost 5# just walking....

There are no public restrooms. Pee before a trip and tinkle at a pub/lunch....if you have to go potty - you can't walk into a place and ask about a bathroom.. There are restrooms that you pay to get into (of all places) that are out on the public sidewalk - they are automated. Do the business and get out. It self sanitizes.

Go to a used bookstore here in your town before you go. Grab Frommers English / Irish travel books. Grab another travel book. Sit and make a list of what you'd like to see.


There are tours leaving London to see Stonehenge. It's worth it. Stonehenge is beautiful, majestic, and very very peaceful. I have good memories. And pics!

Take the time to visit france for a day. Leave London early AM and get the Chunnel. Go to Paris and step in France, turn around and walk out whilst farting in their general direction.

Hit the Eye. It's cooooooool... There's also tours you can do on the Thames. It's dirtier water than the Mississippi - but wow the buildings are just cool.

Brum (birmingham) is interesting. Used to be a coal/ steel town. Not anymore, its 2nd largest city in UK and has more canals than Venice. Guy I stayed with is fun, we had a great time. :eyewaggle: Brum also has a Museum of Armory - neat weaponry from start of man to now. And a few breweries. BEEEEER.

Be warned: uk beer has a higher alcohol content and THEY ARE USE TO IT.

If I think of more, I'll tell you..

Cutenoob

[Rahmota]

Bella: heheh You'll have to stand in line. The wives have already laid dibs on if I somehow cant go. One of the reasons he wanted me to keep this under my hat for a while.

noob: Cool thanks for the info.
I wouldn't mind staying in a Hostel I guess. I'd treat it the way my paladin does when he stays at the common room in an inn in D&D. Keep all valuables at hand and sleep with a hand on the sword...:D

My friend on the other hand is not accustomed to,*sigh* well staying at anythign less than a holiday inn or ramada. I love him like a brother and hes a wonderful guy its just he grew up being comfortable with money. I mean he may not have had a silver spoon in his mouth and all but he definately didnt come from the pinch a penny until it bleeds and lincoln begs for mercy school of budgeting. His usual choice of someplace to stay on vacation he told me is a nice average place like a Westin.

Also food is going to be interestign as he considers Applebees and places like that to be fast food and a place like Olive Garden to be an average place while someplace like the Massonette is a slightly fancy restraunt. Meanwhile I like truck stops, mom and pop diners and fast food if I eat out and consider Olive Garden to be borderline fancy and places like the Massonette to be fantasy land. I can tell you that made the drive across country kinda interesting so I am a slight bit concerned about this.

Oh and about pubs. I have been in all kinds of bars over here redneck and biker bars to some downright family friendly. Do pubs come in about the same kind of levels or are they different? Are there any particular rituals, routines or methods that one has to use to get service in one? Dress codes? Pub Culture?

And yeah I am defiantely hoping to get my hands on some actual english porter or stouts. I have been told the stuff that we can get here stateside is nothing like the real deal over there. Not to mention that Guiness is worshiped in Ireland among some people as almost like Holy Water.

I'll pass along the idea about having some folding on us when goign throu the airport. Although depending on how things go either coming or going we may be on the Queen Mary and cut some of our in-country time short. It depends on what sort of deal can be worked out and what the budget will be both chronologically and fiscally.

Don't worry about the asking for directions thign. I'm not well known for keeping my mouth shut (sometimes that can be a problem) so if in trouble I'll definately be asking for some help. Although I do have pretty good direction sense and map reading skills so I should be okay. And don't worry all I am not going to be an ugly american. I wouldnt like it if you came over here and started doing that stuff so why should I expcet you to like it if I came over there and did that.

Although that is not so happiness causing with the restrrom situation. Oh well hopefully there will be some shrubbery or something handy if the need should arise. I'll figure something out. Always have before.

Definately going to be making a list for my travel loadout. Also all documents and information will be kept in triplicate with safe copies going in the safe. We are (or at least I am) planning on getting everythign down to one ALICE pack and one belt pack. As well as what I can physically carry on my body with cargo vests and pants. I'm in pretty good condition as I work hard on the farm and play hard so thats not a problem. I have carried 50-80 pound packs on camping trips before with no problem. We are going to be travelling light as we are plannign on goign hiking or on a few walking biking tours.

Which brings me to the itinerary part of the mission profile. We both agreed that most of the really touristy kind of stuff was not going to be somethig we wanted to see. I mean the Crown jewels are not that big a deal for us. Seen one hunk of fancy quartz seen em all. The eye is interesting and we might change our plans but it will definately be on the optional list. Somethign slightly funny is we are estimating on between 21 and 28 days.

For me hitting a few pubs, seeing the harry potter film locations (Under the wife's orders) and a few other places is prime inlondon. I did agree to not drag my friend all over whitechapel hunting down the Ripper sites. I want to also go see the Torchwood Institute's Cardiff 3 HQ and the castles used in Monty Python Holy Grail and Highlander.

We have definately agreed that the following are goign to be seen. Dover cliffs and Dover castle. Stonehenge and Avebury. Glastonbury, and Loch Ness in the UK.

I want to see the village of Cong and the Guiness Brewery in Ireland. My friend is letting me set the mission plan for ireland as he doesnt know that much about the Republic.

France: We are going to see the beach at Normandy and the Point Du Hoc Ranger memorial. We both had family there on Omaha. Sad thing is mine where probably shooting at his as the line that didnt emigrated from germany back in the late 1700s where members of the german army. A few other places as he wants to visit an actual vineyard and stuff in both Bordeaux and Champagne regions. We are also going to visit the battlefields at Verdun.

Italy: Well Rome and Venice and Naples. What more can I say for two history buffs?

Germany: This is where we are probably where we are goign to spend as much time as in the UK. Berlin, Dachau, Aushwitz and a few other military related places from the WWII and Cold war eras. Several of the older villages and castles in the Black Forest region. Also beer!!!

So those are the top locations in the mission profile so far. Anythign else will come under the heading of moderate to low priority or optional. Also we should have some time to do side trip and explorations if we do it right.

Oh one final thing he mentioned in an email I just had from him. Since he has spent his Navy years in the Orient and the Middle East where Americans are not popular he is curious if we should hide our national identities from most individuals. I am not really goign to worry about it as while I'm sure most of Europe isnt overly fond of Americans its not to the point where we should be afraid. of course on the flip side I'm not going to be dressed like captain america running around chanting USA! USA! to everyone I meet either. So any opinions on that?

Anyhow thanks again Noob.

[FuzzyKitten99]

One thing about traveling overseas... take more than one form of payment with you. Do not just take your debit/check card and a little cash. I worked for Wells Fargo Bank for almost 3 years, and at least one call a week was devoted to panicked travelers who have lost their Visa Check Card and have no other form of payment for anything. No credit card, no cash (cuz no card to get from ATM) and of course no one there will take an out-of-country check... and the bank cannot FedEx a new one because they have to be mailed via USPS to the address on file for the account, which takes 5-7 business days. We always recommended taking US currency, local currency, check card, and two different credit cards and keep the credit cards separated. Contact your bank to see if they have any other info that they like customers to know. If your state allows you to get a separate state-issued photo ID to use without needing to renew your drivers' license, do it. And keep it in a spot somewhere other than all your other ID's. If your DL & Passport are lost or stolen, this will speed things up at the embassy.

[Rahmota]

One thing about traveling overseas... take more than one form of payment with you. Do not just take your debit/check card and a little cash.

Well I may be shafted a bit then as my sole source of funds on this trip will be my friend. I'm not going to be able to have anythign other than lint and buttons in my pockets when it comes to the trip. I will make sure he understands the safety required though.

two different credit cards that would be rather difficult for me to do as I only have one major credit card. I have a check card with the bank but its needed for use here at home to run the farm.

If your state allows you to get a separate state-issued photo ID Unfortunately Ohio says you can have one or the other but not both. If you have a D/L you cannot have a photo ID and if you have a photo ID then you have to surrender it to the state if you get a D/L. Wierd but then what ya gonna do?

As I am going to be in full alert paranoia mode the entire trip probably nothing will happen but I'll make sure to take some precautions. We are goign to be going on the buddy system at all times so we should have each others backs. So basically I'm going to have to protect his butt to protect my own and trust in the universe to watch over us both. Oh well it'll work out.

Thnkas though I'll pass that tid bit along as well.

[Der Cute]

Hmm. Being American can get you spit on in some places, or so I've heard. I just told everyone I was from Alaska. And even the Americans think Alaska is some weird land.

Pubs: depends on what part of town you're in. Over towards Harrods (evilly expensive shop - cost 16 GBP for a fucking sammich) there's a frenchy restaurant. Bit more dressup than you and I would be, but they didn't frown upon my jeans and t-shirt. Really, I'd stop and ask the doormen or some other workingclass citizen what their favorite pub is. King's X is a working class area- lot of immigrants too. So their dress code is bit more lax than Uptown London.

Personally I like the hole -in -wall places. They're still authentic, they have a real flavor to them, and don't cater to the tourists.

Beer: Try Black Sheep. Dark as all get out.

Do you like peas? Because every god danged dinner I had in England had PEAS as the veggie. I HATE PEAS.

As you go thru the Airport/ train station find the place that sells PASTIES. Have the Guinness & Beef one. NUMMY. oh my god I want one so bad.

Go get your ideas, get a map, and figure out how long you're going to be there. I went to UK in May-June and had a blast. You might be able to do it May-June or June-July but keep in mind your summer months are Tourist Time.

Tell your friend the $ does not equal the GBP or Euro. So suck it up and sleep on a mat. Hostels are good places to meet people too.

Get a Euro Train pass. You'll be able to go from France to Belg (stop for choccy and beer) and then hit Germany (more beer, better food I think)....

Try taking 4 or 5 weeks. You will need it. In 3 weeks time I still could not see enough of England.

Cutenoob

[Rahmota]

Noob:Being American can get you spit on in some places, or so I've heard

Hmm okay. I'm a political activist. I've been spit on, egged, and had stuff thrown at me before by my fellow americans. I think I can handle it by europeans.:rolleyes:

Pubs/\ So pretty much in your experience blend its about like stateside. Watch the locals.

Black sheep noted.


Tell your friend the $ does not equal the GBP or Euro. So suck it up and sleep on a mat. Hostels are good places to meet people too.
hehe. We met back in college. Since then I have managed to get him to loosen up a bit and try the life of the proles. I actually got him to eat in a truck stop diner on the way back. He saaid the food was surprisingly good. Also he's not exactly an outgoing kind of person. I am definately the outspoken one of the two of us. I'll see what I can do but since I'm only providing the security, communications, and orienteering skills I dont have final say over everything. I can advise and recommend strongly but otherwise thats it on a lot of it. I'm not going to worry too hard though.

We are going to be going in August. Is that a problem? We are kinda constrained on the schedule due to his work, and my farm work. So 28 days will have to be the max for the whole event.

Try taking 4 or 5 weeks. You will need it. In 3 weeks time I still could not see enough of England.
Well considering how I am up to 7 notebook pages alone on the UK and 2 on the ROI I could probably spend a year in just those two regions. France and Italy have 1 page and Germany has 2 pages in the notebook. MOst of the rest of europe came out with 1/2 to 3/4 of a page.

And I'm not overly fond of peas no. So looks like there's gonna be some leftover eh?

[ArenaBoy]

If you or your buddy are into sports, take the time to check out a soccer or a rugby match in England. There's about 92 teams in all of England to check out but going to one will do. Also, London is expensive. I mean Expensive. Noob brought up plenty of great points.

[Rahmota]

Arena: Hmmm. Thanks for the uggestion but neither of us are really into sports to that degree. I'm somewhat of a NASCAR fan but it aint been the same since The Intimidator left us for the great oval in the sky *Moment of silence please*.

Also we are goign to have a tight schedule to keep but I'll keep it in mind if we have a spare bit of time or somethng comes up.

yeah I m noticing that with my online research about London. But then again most major cities are more expensive anyhow. even stateside here. I can get something in my hometown for a couple bucks but gotta spend a fivver going to cincy even. Oh well. And yeah noob has brought some nice points up. Thanks.

[Caveat Emptor]

Spit on? Never happened to me, and I've been to Europe twice since 2001. Didn't frequent to many bars, though, maybe the spitters are just drunk.

If you're in Ireland and Dublin, be sure to go to the Guinness Brewery at St. James' Gate. Free pint o' Liffy water with admission! :D

There's also the Ring of Kerry, a large (but narrow in many places) ring road in the SW. Beautiful views, but watch out for livestock. And tour buses.

[Rahmota]

Caveat: Ok so you didnt have nay problem. Cool.

Oh yeah the Guiness Brewery was going to be high on my list of Irish places.

Intersting ring road. I'll have to look into it.

Thanks.

[Primer]

The only thing I can suggest is that if you do not already have a passport, apply NOW!

[Rahmota]

Well considering how I've never had a passport before yeah. (Never leaving the midwest will do that). But sicne I've kept my nose clean that shouldnt be a problem.

According to the state department website it should take a month at maximum and since we dont leave until spetember 7th aboard the queen mary from New York according to my friend I should have some time if I apply as late as feb or March out of the tax return it should work out. Right now coming into the end of the year stretch I am shafted fundwise. I got vehicle registrations and all sorts of stuff coming up in jan.

[Becks]

Take me along? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease? I won't take up much space and I don't eat much!

Same here.

I'll bribe people if I have to!!!!!!

[rvdammit]

You'll find most fast food places, like MacDonalds, have much less variety than US versions. Greasy spoons (trucker type eateries) abound are good hearty eats.

In London:
Most of the outer end of the Tube map, e.g. Morden, Wimbledon, is about 45 minutes to the Circle line. Use http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ for London public transport info.

Make sure to visit Camden Market, and walk Charing Cross Road. Flagship stores are on Oxford Street, electronics along Tottenham Court Road. Consider visiting the Museum of London, Victoria and Albert, Science Museum, Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace as well.

[Rapscallion]

If you fancy some decent ale that has amusing names, such as "Old Sheepshagger's", try looking for CAMRA pubs (Campaign for Real Ale). The warning about British beer being somewhat stronger than the US style is fairly accurate, as far as I am aware.

If you end up anywhere in the Yorkshire area, let me know. I have a spare room and some bedding.;

Most of the major cities have decent (ish) public transport. After that, it gets shoddier, especially late at night. Taxis can be hailed on the street in London only - outside of there, it's Private Hire. They need to be contacted ahead of time at their offices - a second is sufficient, but it's the law.

Rapscallion

[tollbaby]

hee :) I'm heading to England.... tonight, in fact :D I was just coming in to post that I'd be away for a week or so. I arrive in London at 7am tomorrow morning.

Raps, I'd have asked if you were interested in meeting, but I'm only going to be there for 5 days, and time & funds are quite short :( I shall have to stalk you *next* time I'm over!

[Rapscallion]

Huzzah for being stalked!

Rapscallion

[Rahmota]

Becky:hehehe Like I said stand in line. If we had enough I'd rent the ship and take as many as we could but unfortunately cant do that.....

Rvdammit: Cool ideas We have the site list pretty much hammered out for the two of us. But there's always felxability so thanks for the ideas.

Raps: Cool about the room. I wouldnt want to impose or anything as there would be the two of us. I will keep it in mind and be much obliged for the offer and all. Once we get closer to time and know for certain what the details are I'll definately talk to you as meeting you would be cool anyhow even if we don't take ya up on the room.

CAMRA pubs. Noted and logged. Thank you very much. I am looking forward to getting some real english ale definately.

Thank you for the info about the taxis. That too has been noted , passed along to my friend and logged. Definately different than the way the big cities handle it over here.

This is the site list for the UK and ROI that we've come up with. If theres anythign I've missed or need to be concerned about please let me know so we can get this sorted out. My friend is setting up the reservations for the travel passes and stuff over the next week or so for next summer that way he can book early enough and hopefully get the best rates for early booking he says. But this list is probably not compleate and not everythign we'll see or do. But is at the very least the major points we've agreed upon.

London
Trafalgar Square: Free: Charing Cross, Nelson's Column, Admiralty Arch: V for Vendetta Site
Hyde Park: 350 acre park, grand entrance, wellington Arch, Mary Poppins Site
Albert Memorial: Near park,
Westminster palace and the Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Old Bailey, Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Bank of England: Restricted Access or Admisison: See the exterior only.
Knights Templar Temple: Free: Knights Templar Cathedral: DaVinci Code Site
Tower Bridge: Free to cross: admission to exhibit
Imperial War Museum: Free: Military history of England
Portobello Road: Open air Market
National Museum in Greenwich: Admission: Stand on the Prime Meridian
Millenium Bridge: Free to Cross
Greenwich Foot Tunnel: Free to cross
Kings Cross Station: Free: Harry Potter Film Site: Platform 9 3/4
St Pancras Station: Free: Exterior only: Harry Potter FIlm Site

Southampton
Titanic memorial

Bath
Georgian Architechture, Roman Baths

Portsmouth
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard home to three of the
most important ships ever built and 800 years of naval
history.

Dover
White Cliffs
Dover Castle: Admission 10#
has ferry Service to Calais France as is only 21 miles away

GlastonburyAbbey: Admission 5#: 36 acres, location of King Arthur's gravesite, midevil abbey ruins
Chalice Well: Admission 3#, 1# for bottle for water cannot brig own: Location of the Holy Grail
Tor: Free: Ley Line Nexus: Reputed site of Avalon, Midevil chapel/watchtower at top

Avebury
Henge: Free: LArger and older than stonehenge, able to touch stones, ley line nexus
Stone Henge: Admission: Restricted access to stones:

The Eden Project near St Austell, a massive
botanical gardens including indoor rainforest and
mediterranean biodomes.

Cardiff
Capital of Wales
Cardiff City Hall
Cardiff Castle:Admission 3#:
Doctor Who exhibition: Red Dragon Center
Roald Dahl Pass: Torchwood Institute Cariff 3 HQ: Torchwood Series/Dr Who Site

Stratford Upon Avon
Shaekspeare. Touristy. Admissions to all.

York
City Walls
Cliffords Tower: Admission 3#
Jorvik Viking Center: Admission 8#
National Rail Museum: Free, Parking 7#: Home of Thomas the Tank Engine,History of Rails in UK
York Cold War Bunker

Newcastle Upon Tyne
Hadrians Wall Fort Segedunum: At Walls End

Scotland
Castle Stalker: Free to see no admission Private Castle: Monty Python Site: Loch Laich off Loch Linnhe, NE of Port Appin Argyle, A828 Road between Oban & Glen Coe
Doune Castle: Village of Doune, 16kn NW of Stirling off the A84 4# Admission: Monty Python Site
Eileen Donan Castle: Admission 5#: A87 motorway, Near Village of Dornie Near Glen Shiel: Highlander Site

Loch Ness
Urquhart Castle: 7# Admission: Near Drumnadrochit on A82

Glencoe
Ben Nevis Highest Mountain in Scotland: Highlander Filming Site

Hunterston Castle
West killbride, North Ayreshire, Sw of Glasgow: Wife's ancestral family home

Ireland
Dublin Castle
Guiness Brewery
Village of Cong, County Mayo, Filming Site for The Quiet Man Movie.
Galway

Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway sixty miles from Belfast on the
north coast of Northern Ireland is a World Heritage
site and a natural wonder.

[Rahmota]

Raps: Duhhh on my part. I just figured out that the city of York. Is the capital of Yorkshire......Dur hey. Oh well I'll talk to my friend and see what gong on as I dont know when we will be exactly anywhere.

The only firm dates I know are the 7th we board the Queen Mary 2 and then 6 days later the 13th we arrive in Southampton. So we will be exploring the southern part of England first then probably goign to Wales and then Ireland and then Scotland then jumping across to Northern Ireland then back to Scotland and coming down the other side of England on the channel side of things. That way we can jump across to France and then up to Germany and then back throuhg Belgium for the chocolate and then catchign a flight from somewhere back home. At least thats the mission profile we have right now.

heheh well slight change in plans. My friend finally realized that taking the slower stylish and fancier ship is also the most expensive thing we could have done. Like I had been saying. SO we are now goign to take the much more swifter, less stylish and most assuradly less spacious airplane but we will have more funds and more time in country for this trip. And as a result of that we are goin to be able to add Belgium and its wonderful choclates to our tour....hehehe.

[Rapscallion]

There's also the Royal Armouries in Leeds - comes under the heading of fairly near to me (maybe thirty minutes drive?) They moved it from London a few years back.

Rapscallion

[CancelMyService]

And as a result of that we are goin to be able to add Belgium and its wonderful choclates to our tour....hehehe.



http://www.alanjohns.fsnet.co.uk/goldmember/goldmember.jpg


Bong and Blintz? No?

[Der Cute]

Rah:
If you goto Belgium, you are REQUIRED to bring your women back some chocolate. And send me a bit because I've given you advice!!!!!

Armory in Leeds- aye thats the one I went to - it's about .5 km from a brewery. I had never ever seen so many gd kegs before!!! Literally. And you can smell the hops / grain right out side.

Foods to try in UK:
Bangers & mash (sausage and mashed taters w/ brown gravy)
Curry - try different kinds, its' interesting.
Pasties (pah-steees) - a pastry w/ meat and taters and veggie inside. Try them all they're bloody good.
jaffa cakes - required.
I'm curious about English Beef...but not too hot on it.
Dunno about blood sausage..acquired taste IIRC.

Brum has Cadbury chocolate - but that's ignorable, focus on Stonehenge & Avesbury. These 2 places I went to myself - you could get a tourbus from London and hit that in a day. (I had a friend drive me). Avesbury has a town right next to it, find some local food/ pub and eat up.

FYI Heinz brand is all OVER UK. You'll see it all over. Really. It's weird.
They also eat beans on their toast.

Ask if the brewers sell their beers online? It might be the only way to get stuff back to USA. Oh, you CAN send liquor thru the post....:)

IF YOU PURCHASE ANYTHING IN UK THAT IS NOT CONSUMABLE, YOU ARE PAYING A 17.5 VAT TAX. GET PAPERWORK AT SALES PLACE TO RECOUP THE 17.5% TAX AT YOUR DEPARTURE IN AIRPORT.
Jewelry - DO IT.
Clothing - DO IT.

ALL OF IT. IF THE SALES PLACE TELLS YOU OH WE DONT HAVE THAT PAPERWORK YOU GET IT AT THE AIRPORT THEY'RE FULL OF BOLLOX.

Cutenoob

[Gravekeeper]

Is it bad the *first* thing I thought of was "Pretend your Canadian"?

-.-

[iradney]

And as a result of that we are goin to be able to add Belgium and its wonderful choclates to our tour....hehehe.

Don't forget their 50 zillion different types of beer :) My parents went to Gent in 2000, and loved every minute of it. And apparently every little village has it's own brewery too :rolleyes:

[Rahmota]

hehehe. OKay Noob. I have already been informed about the choclates. I'll see what I can do about bringing you some but at the rate people are asking for souveniers and mementos I may need to hire a freighter just to bring it all back..:)

And as for the beers my cousins in the military have been filling me in on this and that brew to try. being a good redneck I will do my best to try them all....

Okay Royal Armory in Leeds. Check and noted.

About the foods. Noted and we will be trying to local cuisine. I'm a bit curious about blood sausage but I dunno. Some of the german Wurts and Brats and stuff are definately on the list. I wanna see how much better the real deal is than whats over here. Although since I get a lot of my meats from the Amish store and they do things the traditional way it shouldnt be too much different. I take it the prepacked stuff in the stores will be about the same as the prepacked stuff here then though?

Gravekeeper: No I dont think that was bad. though I am curious as to why you think so? I'm not planning on making a big deal about my nationality. I'm not gonna lie about it but I'm not gonna push it. sides the moment aye stahrt tawking ta aneh wun thay gonna b abah ta teall whear ahm frum.....
:rolleyes:

Anyhow Thanks all again.

[Rapscallion]

I forgot about food!

Yeah, I can make sure you get to eat a faggot.

Rapscallion

[Rahmota]

Yeah, I can make sure you get to eat a faggot.


*sigh* Two countries seperated by a single language.....Good thing I'm not that redneck or your phrase could be a bit umm provacative.:D

[rvdammit]

Just another thought, The National Trust have plenty of places of interest in the UK.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/

[tollbaby]

Huzzah for being stalked!

Rapscallion

Well, you shall definitely be stalked at a later date :) I liked it so much, I didn't want to come home!

[FuzzyKitten99]

Well I may be shafted a bit then as my sole source of funds on this trip will be my friend. I'm not going to be able to have anythign other than lint and buttons in my pockets when it comes to the trip. I will make sure he understands the safety required though.
that would be rather difficult for me to do as I only have one major credit card. I have a check card with the bank but its needed for use here at home to run the farm.

You can always get a Visa gift card (all banks have them), as it works just like a credit card, but you load it with your own cash. Or just apply for another credit card at your bank, and ask for a small limit, like $500 or so, if you feel that would be worth it.
Why is your friend your only source of funds? No spending cash for you?



Unfortunately Ohio says you can have one or the other but not both. If you have a D/L you cannot have a photo ID and if you have a photo ID then you have to surrender it to the state if you get a D/L. Wierd but then what ya gonna do?
since that is the case, keep your DL and passport separate then. Try to use your DL for most everything possible, and keep your passport somewhere accessible, but only use it if absolutely necessary if your DL won't suffice. DL's are cheaper & easier to replace if lost/stolen.

[Rapscallion]

Just another thought, The National Trust have plenty of places of interest in the UK.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/

A good point - I rather liked Hadrian's Wall.

Mind you, I was heartily reminded of the scene from Chelmsford 123 when Aulus was dictating a letter to Emperor Hadrian.

"Was it your intent to carry on building the wall all the way around the coast, put a roof on it, and call it the empire's largest indoor toilet?"

Rapscallion

[Igorina]

You're already rather busy in London, but if you or your friend have any interest in NAtural History, I highly reccomend the British Natural History Museum. They have one of the largest collections of aquatic dinosaur skeletons.

Salisbury Cathedral is always a neat place to see.

When you're in Ireland, have you thought about touring the Macallen distillery?

I never had a problem being an American in Europe, but I tend to be rather close-mouthed about politics and foreign policy around strangers.

Oh! The passport people lie! Becuase the US has changed its policy and now everyone going to Canada and Mexico needs a passport (unlike before), the passport folks are swamped. Get your application in ASAP!

[Rahmota]

Rv: national trust was one of the first websites I found when i went researching the trip to UK. Its in my bookmarks and the biggest trouble I've had has been not figuring out what to see on there but what to leave off the list so we can do it in a month instead of a year.

Raps: hehehe Thats funny. I forget where it was but there was joke where someone was talkign about Hadrian's wall, Hadrian's Door, Hadrian's ....well you get the idea. Seemed funny at the time.

Fuzzy:You can always get a Visa gift card (all banks have them), as it works just like a credit card, but you load it with your own cash. Or just apply for another credit card at your bank, and ask for a small limit, like $500 or so, if you feel that would be worth it.
Why is your friend your only source of funds? No spending cash for you?

well my biggest problem is I am a small farmer and oddjobber. By the time my monthly inflow takes care of the outflow there aint much left to the tide if you get my drift. Also its not a steady income so some months are good and some are bad. This past month the oddjobs have been kinda erratic so its not been the best money wise. Depending on how thigns go this spring it might be better, might not. Makes it kinda hard to plan a budget out too far into the future. One of the bad things about being self-employed and all in this.

Now as to my friend and all let me explain to everyone as I've had a couple question my leeching off him. I'm not leeching off him hes asked me of his own free will and to be honest I've been urging him to conserve his funds. But he's single, childless, his residence is courtesy of the US Navy or friends and family when hes stateside, his job as a military contractor gives him plenty of folding. The 10k budget I mentioned for the trip is his yearly bonus pay he says. above and beyond his normal pay. So he's not exactly hurting. Lets just say that his yearly income quite comfortabley puts him in the upper middle class.

Now as for me and him we're as close as brothers. I've helped him out of a lot of sticky situations been there for him in some bad times and generally shared what I've had with him. And him for me. He likes to go off and take these kinda trips and stuff and doesnt want to go by himself. I'm the first choice he says for a variety of reasons, ranging from the flexability of my schedule (being self employed does help in that) and just the plain he enjoys my company and knows and trusts me reason. So if he chooses to spend his money dragging me around eurpoe I'd be rather stupid not to take hm up on it. And he has said there will be a spending allowance for the both of us for the trip. But heck I'll be happy just being there. I'm not really gonna quibble over stuff. I'll have my camera, I'll have my experiences andd memories so it'll be good reardless if I have any foldding in my pocket or not.

and besides basically he says hes hiring me to be his travel partner, security and the voice of paranoia, conscience, and maturity for the trip and its not a drag or me being a leech. So anyhow.

Oh and one other thing since someone asked me, No I am not leaving the wives and all in the lurch by my going away. Usually august is a slow month as the crops are in and not ready yet to be harvested, The wife2 has her own job and the farm has enough income to meet most of the bills for that short of a duration. Also the cousins and all are going to be on hand to take care of any problems that may come up that may require more help than what they can deal with. Believe me since I live for my family or die for my family we thought of and worked all that out before we even got so far as to know if I was going or not. Thanks for asking though.

since that is the case, keep your DL and passport separate then. Try to use your DL for most everything possible, and keep your passport somewhere accessible, but only use it if absolutely necessary if your DL won't suffice. DL's are cheaper & easier to replace if lost/stolen.
I have one of those wallets that goes around your neck on a chain for the passport and all. I also have a truckers wallet on a chain that connects to your belt for the pocket. So security should be good if I keep the passport in my chest wallet and the D/L in the other. barring that I'll make sure I hve a vest or shirt pocket to put my D/L in. I plan on having paperwork and any folding I carry scattered and secreted on my body. And he's been to singapore andd indonesia andd all courtesy of the USN so he's well aware of how umm creative and forceful the pickpockets can be so hes got a plan too for that. Too bad I cant do like my one cyberpunk character and have a fleshpocket to put stuff in.....

Igorina; Thanks. Yeah we're trying to pack as much as possible into as little time as we have. Sleep might be a bit catch on the fly but we'll see. As for the Museum I'll bring it up and see what we can do maybe. I'll definately keep it in mind though.

Salisbury cathedral. Okay. again we'll keep it mind. In that region we where probably going to be more interested in the various henges around and go cathedral looking at the major ones and on the continent. Not sure. We'll see.

Yeah i plan on checking the political stuff and all at the door and just try and be a nice quiet tourist getting in and getting out with as lttle drama as possible. Possibly trying to go native as much as possible to not draw attention. thouh thats probably going to be interesting in itself.

Macallen distillery Considering how I never heard of it before ou menioned it and didnt find it in the online search I hadnt planned on it. Though I'll look into that though.

Okay. I was told they are caught up on that. hmmm. Well I cant do that until april at the earliest uness things turn up better. January is my brokest month for a variety of reasons. Mainly because a lot of the inflow dries up but the outflow doesnt. And feb/march isnt much better as thats getting caught up from january. Oh well it'll work out. And if it doesnt then we can wait for his next window of opportunity and he can put the money he was goign to use for the trip into the bank or do somethign else with it or he'll fiure somethign else out. I'm not going to worry about that. Either it'll work out in time or it wont. Thats beyond my control.

Anyhow thanks for the info again. Its really great getting this kind of help and suggestions from folks who know.

[ImadeYouACookie]

Hey Rahmota, come to Denmark (right on top of Germany) and I'll buy you guys a round ;-)