*uk*

Stop #1 on our Euro adventure 2007 is the UK (#2 will be Norway and #3 will be Greece). We've never spent much time in the UK, aside from a few days in London...so on this trip we decided that after revisiting London we would meander through the country from South to North. Our meandering has now nearly come to an end...tomorrow we get on to a boat in Newcastle to sail (or diesel engine or whatever) 27 hours to Bergen, Norway. Should be an adventure. But here's what we've experienced in the UK mother country:

Day 1 - Recovering in London: We flew from Basel to London the morning of day 1 and spent the afternoon lounging around the hotel, still recovering from our whirlwind move-out of our apartment in Switzerland. Our "luxurious" Holiday Inn Express in the "Barking" suburb of London was actually not bad...and a heck of a lot cheaper than any hotel we could find last minute in London city center. It did mean we got to know the London subway (tube) quite well...we were all over the tube during our couple of days in London. By they way, we've booked all of our hotels in the UK using www.laterooms.com - it is a very useful site for last minute hotel deals in the UK. Highly recommended for folks who often don't plan ahead, like us. Not that it is tough to get a room at a Holiday Inn Express in a non-descript suburb of London, but we have also found some rather unique and quaint B&B's on this website that have worked out quite nicely (and for pretty good prices).

Day 2 - Exploring London (Tower of London, River Thames): We set out to explore some of the usual sites in London along the River Thames. First stop was the Tower of London, home of the British Crown Jewels and site of lots of historic stuff dating back to 1078 when William the Conquerer issued a verdict that the "Tower" should be built. You cna learn more about the tower of London here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_london

Here's a pic of Sam climbing an old Roman wall outside the Tower of London.



You notice that Sam continues with his fascination of climbing things. It secretly makes me proud (Jared's writing here) but my parental instincts usually kick in quickly before he tries something that is really going to crack his head open. I'm sure some day he'll be climbing red rock cliffs in Southern Utah with uncle Travis.

Below are some pics of our tour of the Tower of London...here is Mia with the "Bloody Tower" in the background... ...Sir Walter Raliegh was imprisoned here for 13 years, in relative comfort really, and here wrote The History of the World. The Bloody Tower is so named because legend has it the two young princes, Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, lived here in 1483 but were murdered by their uncle (Richard Duke of Gloucester) who aspired to ascend to the thrown himself...learn more about that legend here: http://www.toweroflondontour.com/bloodytw.html

Mia on the grounds of the Tower of London with the Tower Bridge in the background.

Posing with the Tower Bridge and the River Thames just outside the walls of the Tower of London.

Day 3 - Exploring London (Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, St James Park): We didn't get out of the hotel until afternoon (a relatively common theme this trip) and when we finally did we headed down to see the sites around Westminster. First the Parliament building and Big Ben...



...then we hung around Westminster Abbey but unfortunately it was closed for some formal ceremonies so we could not go inside. Mia enjoyed posing for the camera...


























...we then took a stroll through St James park, where we got a view of Buckingham Palace to one side and to London's West End on the other side...

Day 4 - Stonehenge: Leaving London we drove to Stonehenge in Wiltshire county (near Salisbury, a couple of hours drive West of London). Viewing Stonehenge is rather surreal...amazing to think how and why the bronze age dudes built this sun temple. Also amazing how the stone formations correspond to the calendar and winter and summer solstices. Learn more about Stonehenge at these links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge ...or ... http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16465





Sam and Mia were in very silly moods while at Stonehenge...we could not stop them from tackling each other constantly as we walked the circle around Stonehenge.

Mia got a play camera at the store that she will not put down...



















...Sam loves picking flowers for Mom, there were plenty in the fields around Stonehenge.














...after Stonehenge we drove an hour or two North to the Birmingham area. We stayed near Coventry (just South of Birmingham in Warwickshire)...and here we recovered for the next day, our first of many exploring castles...

Day 5 - Warwick Castle: We spent nearly the entire day at Warwick Castle, which is set up more like an amusement park than anything else. It is a very cool castle, however, and the falconry, jousting and fighting knights show they put on were pretty sweet. These days lots of castles in the UK (and elsewhere) provide re-enactments and shows displaying fighting knights to entertain visitors. Warwick Castle claims to have been the first to begin these shows 35 years ago. You can learn more about Warwick castle here:
http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/






The castle entrance.

















The birds of prey whisperers at Warwickgave an impressive demonstration with their pets: a bald eagle, condor, and golden eagle.

Below...Sam shows off his own battle armour suit with the "largest Trebuchet on Earth" in the background (left) and Sam and Mia with a knight and his horse in full battle armour (right).

Below...Alyssa shows off her knight helmet (left) and Mia and Sam pose with Queen Elizabeth II at the royal dinner in which we were invited (right) .

We're a few days short here, but have to sign off... more to come!