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  • MacKs go Traveling

UK 2024

A 12-day adventure by MacKs go Traveling Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 9, 2024
    MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    The Adventure Begins

    August 11, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Our adventure begins with Neil & Michelle taking us to the airport. We checked in at Auckland to find we were given seats in Row 75, we joked that it was obviously at the back of the plane, only to laugh again when at boarding the first general announcement is ‘Boarding rows 60 to 75’ and there we were in the back row on a Friday night. We got our tickets through Qantas Airpoints but ended up flying code share with China Airlines. We were impressed when the plane taxied out from the terminal on time at 7:30, but then we sat at the end of the runway for 1 hour 15 min while the runway was cleared of debris. Then we were off:

    ✈️ Auckland - Brisbane, 2350ks 4 hrs
    ✈️ Brisbane - Taipei, 7220ks 8.5hrs
    ✈️ Taipei - London, 12500ks 14.5hrs

    Paul survived the 14hr flight by watching the whole of ‘The Last Ship’ Season 1 … gripping action. Lyn was able to sleep a bit more than Paul.

    Arrived in London and then we figured out how to take the underground from Heathrow to Kings Cross. Stayed our first night in a classic oldish hotel called The California, only a few 100mts across from the train station. I know, first night in the UK and we stay in place called ‘The California’.
    Nice meal at a little Italian restaurant and then off to bed 💤💤    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    Off to SCOTLAND

    August 11, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ 🌩️ 22 °C

    Bucket List objective was our desire to visit the land of the MacKenzies. Tick it off baby!
    We had a good night's sleep and then some breakfast with actually good coffee (expensive $10nzd each) and sat outside Kings Cross enjoying it in beautiful clear blue sky. Who would have thought London would have such a beautiful day 28dg high.
    We had purchased tickets online for the LNER fast train to Edinburgh, splashed out and got First Class … pretty flash … not overly. Got to the train to find that it had been cancelled. What The! No worries we got on the earlier one. Trains leave every half hour.
    We made our first friends in the UK. Sat beside Connie and Finlay who live in Edinburgh and own a Craft Beer brewery … ‘Moon Wake’. Chatted with them for the whole 5 hrs, they shared a number of good things we should do.
    One very English thing we did was to enjoy our cuppa tea on the train.
    Arrived in Edinburgh and not too long a walk to the hotel, made longer only because Google was telling us to go a way that didn’t exist, frustrating till we found out the lane that was meant to exist was closed off for maintenance.
    Checked in and then went for a walk up and down the main street ‘Royal Mile’ which is only about a hundred mts from the hotel. What Connie and Finlay told us was that we’d arrived at a very busy time as it is what they call the ‘Fringe Festival’, being lots of street performers and pop up shows, so tons of people everywhere.
    Scotland Land of the Brave … so Paul put his big boy pants on for dinner and had Bon Bons. Bon Bons you ask? … deep fried Haggis with local beer. Something Connie said we had to try, surprisingly Good stuff!
    After dinner headed back to the Royal Mile to enjoy some street performers then sleep.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler
    2

    The Real Mary King’s Close

    August 12, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Awarded as one of the UKs top tourist attractions.
    In 1753 the Town Council of Edinburgh decided to build a new Royal Exchange (now the City Chambers) and to do so they simply built over the top of existing streets and houses, because they were all made of stone. One of those streets was Mary King’s Close which in its day was a bustling hub of markets and activity.
    For hundreds of years these streets laid practically untouched, preserving them for today.
    A fascinating tour and explanation of the history.
    Unfortunately it does look like Lyn contracted the Plague.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    Edinburgh Walk About

    August 12, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Spent the rest of the day walking and exploring Edinburgh.
    🚶 To Edinburgh Castle but sadly tickets sold out to go in.
    🚶 Found an arty market, and Lyn didn’t buying anything 🥲
    🚶 Through Dean Village with stream and old bridges.
    🚶 Along Circus Lane, a quaint little street.
    🚶 To Street Food for lunch. Yum
    🚶 Up Carlton Hill over looking the city. Nelson Monument.
    🚶Down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and went through self guided audio tour. Where the Royals hold their Scotland functions.
    🚶 Up the secret staircase to the Mary Queen of Scots bedroom, where one of her attendants was murdered!
    🚶Through the grounds of the Palace and ruins of an Abbey first built in 1100s

    Over all a good 23000 step day.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

    August 12, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Wonderful evening spent up at the Edinburgh Castle witnessing the famous Military Tattoo.
    Lots of bagpipes, brass bands, marching, dancing, saluting, rifle throwing.
    Made some new friends as we sat behind 4 elderly ladies celebrating one of them turning 75. Talk about talk, could they talk!Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    H.M.S. Britannia

    August 13, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    For the first time in many many years we took a public transport bus ride. Who knew you could get Google Map directions for buses? Just never cared about it before. The Bus stop was just outside the hotel, how convenient, and we headed off to the port area.
    Went to see Her Majesty’s Royal Yacht Britannia. It was one of those audio self guided tours. It did not disappoint. Saw:

    ⚓ Queen's bedroom
    ⚓ Prince Phillip's bedroom
    ⚓ Formal rooms
    ⚓ Living areas of the different sailor classes, very noticeable.
    ⚓ Engine room, amazingly clean and polished.

    A fabulous few hours.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    While in Scotland ...

    August 14, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Someone bought a beautiful soft cashmere scarf ...
    Someone bought a MacKenzie kilt. For formal occasions like up coming family weddings. ...
    Someone bought some bagpipes ...

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    The Principal York

    August 14, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Stayed at the Principal York, a very grand old hotel. Main reason for staying here is location, in that it is right beside the train station and a short distance into the old York town.

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    Old York Town

    August 15, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    What an unexpected but amazing place to visit. Old York Town is within the medieval stone walls of the city. It's streets are a labyrinth of cobbled streets all vibrant with colour.
    Shambles St is one of the oldest in the country featuring preserved medieval buildings, some dating back as far as the 14th century. The street is narrow, with many timber-framed buildings with jettied floors that overhang the street by several feet.
    You can walk on top of the old medieval stone walls, so off we went ... more steps.
    So glad we broke up our trip down to London with a stop over in York, fantastic.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    York Minster

    August 15, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Visited York Minster, one of the great cathedrals of the world. Amazing feat of engineering and architecture for something first built in 1230.

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    Train to London and a London Cab

    August 15, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Having spent the morning walking around York some more, such an interesting place, we took the train back down to London.
    Another of our To Do's was to catch a classic London black cab. And we did from Kings Cross to our hotel on Fleet St.
    Very nice hotel 'Apex Temple Court' central to all the places in London we want to visit ... more steps!    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler
    Eye of London
    Big BenWestminster AbbeySt James ParkSt James ParkThe MallQueen Victoria MemorialChanging of the Guards ParadeBuckingham Palace

    London Walk About ... to be continued

    August 16, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Set out on our big day to explore as many London landmarks as we could ... all on foot:

    🇬🇧 Eye of London
    🇬🇧 Big Ben and Parliament Buildings
    🇬🇧 Westminster Abby
    🇬🇧 St James' Park
    🇬🇧 The Mall
    🇬🇧 Queen Victoria Memorial
    🇬🇧 Buckingham Palace. We arrived in time for the Changing of the Guards, didn't see the actual guard change but witnessed the Parade.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler
    Green Park
    NZ War MemorialHyde ParkSerpentine in Hyde ParkPrincess Diana FountainKensington PalacePrincess Diana MemorialThe AlbertopolisRoyal Albert Hall

    continued ... London Walk About ...

    August 16, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Walk About continued:

    🇬🇧 Green Park
    🇬🇧 The NZ War Memorial. Paul especially found it rather moving.
    🇬🇧 At Hyde Park It was reported that Lady Lyn was seen sharing an Ice Cream down by the Serpentine with a Scottish scoundrel.
    🇬🇧 The Princess Diana Fountain, really it's a fantastic river for kids to play in.
    🇬🇧 Kensington Palace.
    🇬🇧 The Princess Diana's Memorial from her sons.
    🇬🇧 The Albertopolis.
    🇬🇧 The Royal Albert Hall. (Logan & Paramore have played there)    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler
    Harrods

    While in Harrods ...

    August 16, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Lady Lyn and the Scottish scoundrel seen having Tea and Scones.
    Someone bought something in a little bag ... from the Christmas Dept.

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler
    The Ritz
    Piccadilly CircusTrafalgar SquareTrafalgar Square

    continued ... London Walk About

    August 16, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Walk About continued;

    🇬🇧 The Ritz.
    🇬🇧 Piccadilly Circus.
    🇬🇧 Trafalgar Square.
    🇬🇧 To Shoreditch district where we found Logan and shared a cocktail with him.
    🇬🇧 No more walking, Uber back to our hotel.

    All up a very exciting day. The days step count for our London Walk About ... 31,000 steps.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    Diddly Squat Farm

    August 17, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We decided we'd like to look outside of London and visit The Cotswolds and Diddly Squat, of the TV show Clarkson’s Farm, being in the same area.
    We put our explorer skills to the test on this day, a bit tense at times figuring everything out, but we:

    🚶Walked from our hotel to Temple Station, and tried to figure out the best ticket to buy, probably over paid.
    🚇 Underground from Temple Station to Paddington Station. We unintentionally sat in priority seats meant for those with a disability. Now there were about 10 empty seats around us, but a gentleman with a walking stick got on and pointed his stick at Lyn and then the sign. He made his point!
    🚆 Train from Paddington to Oxford. We've learnt green lights above seats are the available seats.
    🚶Walked to get our car rental, but Google wanted to take us back through the train station which wasn't possible. Finally we found amongst road works an underground bypass.
    🚘 Picked up our rental car. But wait the car only had 1/8 tank of gas in it and we had to find a service station. And then the car's speedo is in kilometers and all the road speed signs are in miles!... oh and Paul did take a wrong turn back down a motorway!

    We finally did make it to Clarkson Farm!

    Driving along the lane just before Diddly Squat we absoulety without a lie saw Jeremy and Lisa driving towards us in his Land Rover.

    So so many people! Two queues, one for food and drink about an hour wait, the other for the shop and that was an hour and a half wait. Didn’t stay long as too busy.

    They had a small pop up shop behind the farm shop just selling a few things, so we bought 'The Best Tea Towel ... in the World', for the caravan.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler
    Stow on the Wold
    Our MG outside the oldest Inn in EnglandStow on the WoldBourton on the Water - Paul looking at LynBourton on the Water - Lyn looking at PaulBourton on the WaterSingle-track road

    The Cotswolds

    August 17, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    On Lyn's list of things to do, visit the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds is a rural area in England with a number of very old and very quaint and picturesque towns.

    We visited three being:
    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Stow on the Wold
    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bourton on the Water
    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bibury

    Internet was very dodgy, basically non existent while driving, so no Google maps. Instead we used the MG's navigation. Well that was an experience as it took us through these narrow country single lane roads.
    Lyn: ‘are we sure?’
    Paul: ‘it’s an adventure, what could go wrong?’
    Nothing went wrong we just took the ‘scenic’ route.

    We loved seeing these towns and also knowing that most of the houses are still lived in.

    Having left the busyness of London, everyone from London must have had the same idea, as they were really busy.

    Having finished with the Cotswolds we stopped off in Oxford for some good pub food at a Wetherspoons, (thanks Pete and Liz for the heads up on them).

    And then the morning journey in reverse back to London. A great day that ended up so much better than it started.    Read more

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler
    Shakespeare GlobalSt Paul'sSt Paul'sLondon Courts

    continued … London Walk About

    August 18, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    New day and more walking, this time in the other direction from our hotel:

    🇬🇧 Borough Market
    🇬🇧 Golden Hinde ( Francis Drake's ship)
    🇬🇧 Shakespeare Globe
    🇬🇧 St Paul’s Cathedral
    🇬🇧 London Courts

  • MacKs go TravelingUK 2024Traveler

    Lyn goes to the Theatre

    August 18, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We split up for the afternoon. Lyn went to the theater to see 'The Lion King'. Thoroughly enjoyed it especially the amazing costumes.

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