England

[Marigold2]

All my life I have dreamed of visiting the UK. I begged my husband for 23 years to take me. And then my brain finally kicked in and I said to myself "you don't need him to take you"
So I am going by myself, I will be on a tour for the first 8 days and then alone for the last two in London. There are no words to discribe my excitment. I am paying for the entire trip by myself and I cannot wait to hit the fancy shops in London and see all the sights. I have been a British history buff for over 30 years.
Was wondering if anyone can tell me what the temp is like?
And the food. I leave on Mother's Day May 11th and return May 20th. If you have been there or live there is there something that gave you a special joy? I will of course be seeing all the main highlights with the tour. Was thinking of taking a side trip to Hever. Thanks everyone.

[Karen]

Do get yourself a LondonPass - it includes a Tube pass, and gets you into many places for free or at a discount!

See here (http://www.londonpass.com/index_attractions.asp) for a list of attractions, etc.

We found it a great deal, and very helpful, as well!

[Killearn Kitties]

That London Pass sounds a great deal.

I hope you have a lovely time! Where is your tour going to take you?

The home page of the BBC website gives you a weather guide with projected temperatures. The thing to remember about our weather is that it is not predictable. You really do have to be ready for torrential rain, blistering sunshine, strong wind, and probably all three on the same day. Layers are the way to go.

I was at Hever a couple of years ago and it certainly is fantastic if you are able to get there. The grounds are beautiful.

[Medusa]

Lucky!!! I've always wanted to go to England and I have a friend who lives there and has been asking me when I'm going over there. Please be sure to take lots of pix to share w/us upon your return and have a safe, fun trip.
Good for you, girl!

[Suki Wingy]

Have fun there! I've also always wanted to go there. Even when my cousins lived there I never got to visit them! Make sure you take pictures and post them here. :)

[Freedom]

Excellent! Which tour company are you using? Which tour are you taking?
What will you see on the tour?

I've loved it each and every time I've been there.

[Muddy4paws]

You really cant predict the weather here! It was baking hot earlier today and now I've just got back soaking wet and the thunder is horrendous! Its very loud!!

I agree with karen on the london pass. Make sure u go to london zoo!! I love it. :D

[Marigold2]

Thanks everyone :D I am going with the Gloubus company. I am seeing the best of southern England which includes, London, Stratford, Runnymede, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Wye Valley in Wales, Tintern Abbey, Brighton, Stonehenge, Arundel, Hampton Court, Leeds Castle. The Tower, Big Ben, House of Parliament,Westminster Abbey, Downing Street. Plus I have two days at the end of the tour just for myself.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get through Harrods? And what shops in and around Harrods are a must, and what about Sloane Street??:confused:

Also I keep reading about pig's feet and bone marrow and tongue, kidney pie. Any salads, veggies, meatloaf, chicken, burgers, there????

[Killearn Kitties]

:D I have never in my life been offered pig's feet or bone marrow - although steak and kidney pie you will certainly see. You should be able to get any type of food you want.

[gini]

What a smart lady you are - it is up to each of us to make our dreams come true. I hope you have the lovliest time. As I recall Harrod's is just vast.

Be sure to see the food court.

[Freedom]

WONDERFUL!!!! I used Cosmos, which is a sister company to Globus, so you are really going to enjoy the tour; AND be very tired at the end of it, he he.

I can't imagine what you are reading that has all those foods listed, unless it is " dishes strange and unique to England!" I enjoyed the Ploughman's lunch now and again: crusty bread, cheese and pickle (which is more like a relish, for us). You will not have any difficulty finding food you are used to.

Stock up on camera batteries, and memory cards. (Back when I went, before digital cameras, I had to stock up on film!) Not because you can't get it there, you can. But who wants to waste time buying those things? I learned that on my first trip!

I took a journal on all 3 of my trips, and I 'd write in it. What I ate, what I paid for it; what we saw, jokes the tour guide told. The tour guides were EXCELLENT, I must say. Told us highlights at each stop, what to expect, what to see, where to go for . . . just about anything any one asked for! If I took a photo of something that I thought I wouldn't know what it was, I'd jot that down, for reference.

You are definitely hitting all the highlights on that tour, good choice!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

To "do" Harrods properly will take a whole day :D If you get the chance to do the London Eye then take it! A trip to Libertys is a must

Be prepared to be shoved left, right and centre if you do the underground

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Lucky you!! We've been living in central London (Westend) during 4 months (in1981), so we had plenty of time to explore!! Don't forget to visit Madame Tussaud, Hyde Park, Leicester Square, etc . Oxford Street is great for shopping too, and it is cheaper than Harrods (which is very costly) .