The walks were the highlights. I really like having our bags forwarded to our hotels and traveling by foot. The slow pace is the way to see the country side (and towns you pass through). Definitely the way to adjust to the time change. I want to do more of the while I can.
But, be better prepared for walks. We got in walking shape but Fran’s knee was problematic for the walk. We’ve got to be better about not only exercising but stretching and our therapeutic things as well. Good shoes really help but still. I need a consistent body weight exercise program for the road.
Also most of UK (maybe the Lake District is the exception) is not as crazy as our wilderness in the Northwest. Though I didn’t pack heavy, you likely need less gear than in the US. The Ordinance Survey Maps app on the phone was all you really need. Trails are well marked and the app tells you when you are off course.
I loved the fine dining but maybe do just one a week instead of trying to cram too much in. Too much of a good thing blurs the experiences.
I’d repeat Sixty four degrees, midsummer house, and Murano in a heart beat. All in the top 5-10 meals I’ve ever eaten at. Other’s - some are maybe’s and some are definite no’s. I need to do more research next time. Some observations:
- Generally hotel’s even with good credentials serve lesser quality food.
- Pubs can have good food, but most don’t (most pub food is terrible)
- Find something other than Sunday roasts on Sundays.
- Maybe plan on a few dry day’s a week instead of wine every night. I think this is harder because water just is so downplayed across the pond.
- The Michelin guide, while better than most, isn’t always a guarantee of quality.
Having a traveling companion that complements your weakness is a real plus. Fran and I have strengths that really complement each other and it makes travel easier. I don’t know if I’d travel as much if this wasn’t the case.
New town’s I loved: Chilham, Wye, Malton, Alnwick.
Towns I wouldn’t go back to: Newcastle on Tyne - boring big industrial city trying to pass itself off as a food destination, Folkestone - another industrial city.
The rest were either favorites (Ambleside, Whitby, York, and London) or towns I’d consider again (Sandwich).
Half the clothes, twice the cash.
That about wraps it up for this trip. Time to start planning the next. Thinking Portugal and Spain maybe next fall with an East Coast US trip in the spring, but who knows?