.Liverpool to Chipping Norton

June 14, 2013

We boarded the bus a half an hour early this morning because we needed to add some extra time for our visit to the Morgan Factory in Malvern, Worcestershire.  Our bus ride was about 2 ½ hours in length.  Being Friday, the Morgan Factory closes at 1:30 and we were eager to be in the plant while the workers were

Morgan Roadster

working.

The Morgan is an expensive handmade sports car that still incorporates wood in the forming of the body.  They make 7 models each one made to order for a customer.  The cheapest one sells for around $75,000 and we saw one that was just completed that sold for $300,000.  It is sad, but the cars cannot be exported to the US because they don’t pass the stiff safety requirements that American cars must pass.

$300,000 Aero Supersport

 

They make 4 roadster style models that look like my MG on steroids.  These cars differ mainly in their engine configuration.  They also make two models that are their high end modern sports cars and finally they make an interesting three wheel model that has a V-2 engine pasted on the front.  This is a remake of the first cars that they built in the style related to the prototype that was constructed in 1909 and was a simple three-wheeler with a tubular steel chassis fitted with a 7 h.p. Peugeot V-twin engine.  They built their company on

Roadster Chassis note the automated assembly line

 

the 3 wheel vehicle until 1953.  Then in 2011, they reintroduced the three wheeler and that it makes up 50 percent of their current production.  It sells for about $35,000.

The company produces about 1,500 handmade cars yearly.  Most of the craftsmen can do all of the processes required to make the car.  We watched a guy take a flat piece of aluminum and form a hood panel using a break and hammers.  The wood shop mills the blanks and the builders fit them to the chassis which is also made in house.

Of interest to me was their factory.  It was made up of a bunch of small buildings located of a hill side and the highest of the buildings was the original shop where the early three wheelers were made.  As you move from building to building heading down the hill, the various components are added to the cars and the final one is driven under

Wooden Body frame

its own power to the paint shop where it is disassembled, painted and then moved across an alley to the leather shop where the upholstery is made and fitted.  Finally, the cars are moved to another room where they are reassembled.

 

We watched one car being driven into the pre-waxing shop.  The driver got out and it turns out that he had built this car by himself.  We started at the top of the hill and went all the way to the end with it.  It was a special edition car that was made to order for an American and he stated that the

Scuttle Patern

price would be somewhere around $300,000.  It is interesting; the company stated that they were unable to ship to the US but here is a car that was built for a US customer.  Hum!

From the Morgan factory, we headed to the Crowne Plaza at Chipping Norton.  This is another ultra-modern 5-star hotel that has been added to an ancient estate.  It is huge.  Getting to our dining room was like walking through a maze.  We were again fed well.  Following the meal, we were taken to a stately conference room

Fabricating the Cuttle using tin snips and a hammer

where we received a presentation from one of the British Morris Minor Owners Club.  This is the centinium of the Morris company and they anticipate somewhere around 1,500 cars manufactured by this company to be in attendance over the next two days.  The majority of the cars are the Morris Minors and Minis.  

We were tired and bed was

Adding the leather interior

welcome.

A Day in Llandudno

June 12 2013:  A Day in Llandudno

After another full breakfast buffet, our plan for the morning was to travel to the top of the Great Orme on the Tramway.  A portion of our group gathered for a ¾ mile walk to the lower station where we boarded our car. This is Great Britain's only remaining cable operated street tramway and one of only three surviving in

Tram and Tramway up the Great Orme

the world. Operation of the tramway differs from the famous and unique San Francisco system in that, like the Lisbon lines, it is a street funicular, where the cars are permanently fixed to the cable and are stopped and started by stopping and starting the cable.  The line is in two sections and passengers change cars at the Halfway Station. The lower section climbs the very steep Old Road and then via Black Gate and Ty Gwyn Road to the Halfway Station

Tram

and has a maximum grade of 1 in 4. The line climbs 400 feet in about half-a-mile. It was opened for passengers on July 31, 1902. The upper section, opened in 1903, is less steep and climbs 150 feet in about the same distance.  It was a neat ride, however, as we were approaching Victoria Station, it started to rain and about 1/3 of the way up the grade we moved into the clouds and were unable to see more than about 100 yards.  It was also quite cool.  So, at the top, we enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and then headed back down. 

We ate at one of the little restaurants in the town where I had the traditional fish and chips and Janine had broccoli soup that was made with pureed broccoli.  She claimed that it was good.  My fish was great.

Snowdon Railway Diesel Engine  They also have working
steam locomotives.

Snowdon Steam Locomotive and Car

We then loaded a small group to travel to Mt. Snowdon where we boarded the train on the  Snowdon Mounain Railway.  This turn of the century cog railway takes passengers to the top of Mt. Snowdon,  the highest point in the British Isles at 3,560 feet.  It offers breath taking views of the national park and surrounding countryside, however, it was again rainy and cloudy and windy and we could see almost nothing except the landscape in the immediate area for the entire trip. 

A view from the top.

Also, snce the winds were quite strong, the train only traveled ¾ of the way to the tip of the mountain.  The diesel-powered engine pushes only one car and it was jammed packed with people.  A lady sitting across from us walked to the top of the mount when she was 61 years old and received a plaque for being the oldest person to accomplish that feat. It was neat but probably only 20 percent as neat as it would have been in clear weather.

Llandudno Victorian Pier

Back in Llandudno, we walked out onto the Victorian Pier which was constructed to give early vacationers a sense of being out to sea. The 2,295 foot long  Pier, was built in 1878.  It is the longest pier in Wales and is reputed to be one of the finest recreational piers in Britain.

Again, we dined in fine style in the Imperial Hotel dining room.  I sampled a local beer, Brains, and

Llandudno Promenade and Hotel Lineup

found it to be quite nice.  While we were eating, a young man began playing a harp in the adjacent bar.  I was intrigued by the sounds and ventured in to enjoy his music with several members of our group.  He was extremely talented playing various types of music from classical to ragtime.  I talked with him during a break and he teaches harp and piano and plays in this type of venue or as a member of a duet or small group.  Although classically trained, concert work is of no interest to him.  It was a delightful way to end the day.

London to Llandudno, North Wales

June 11, 2013

Our breakfast dining experience was just as elegant as everything else that we have experienced at Coombe Abbey.   And, after breakfast, we wandered the grounds a bit.  We discovered, in an undeveloped area behind the main complex, a large ruins of some sort of a building.  The length of one wall appeared to be at least the length of a football field.  It was a pleasant misty cool morning.

We boarded the bus for another full day of touring.  Our first stop was at Warwick Castle where we dropped off about half of the folks who chose that over the visit to the auto museum at Gaydon.  Janine chose tour the Castle.  She says that it was similar to the London Tower.  It was furnished with items from various periods that depicted the times from the Castle was built up to the 1940.  The displays included very life like mannequins of kings all of the way to Winston Churchhill. 

The staff demonstrated the use of a Trebuchet (catapult) throwing large stones on the grounds.  They also had two trained eagles, a trained vulture, and a trained falcon.  (I had the camera so Janine couldn’t take pictures.)

At the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, we saw a huge collection of all kinds of

British cars.  The majority of the cars were related to cars that William R. Morris, the founder of Morris Garage and producer of MG, Morris, and later Austin autos. 

The town and the Museum also show a

large presence of Jaguar and Land Rover.  They have an off-road track over which they take one of their new Discovery Four Land Rovers to demonstrate the car’s capabilities.  We got to ride with a young lady who know the car and knew how to put it through its paces.  I was impressed by its automated capabilities as she drove it over boulders, 45 degree slopes, a roller pad on which 3 wheels would

spin while the fourth wheel pulled the car along up a hill.  She traveled through mud, water, steep slopes and at one point a road so rough that one wheel was actually in the air while the car teetered along.  It was fun.  A neat, really expensive car.

We picked up those who had gone to the Warwick Castle and headed west on our coach.  Our destination was the Welch resort town of Llandudno which is located on the Irish Sea.  It is a beautiful town that was used by the Brits as their seaside resort.  The town is located on the shore of a deep “C”- shaped bay which has two huge “rock of Gibraltar” outcroppings, the Little Orme

Llandudno with the Little Orme in the background

and the Great Orme, that are at each end of the bay.  The drive into the town provided a breathtaking view. 

Our lodging for the following two nights was the grand and glorious Imperial Hotel, one of many that line the shoreline of this ancient old town.  It is old, but elegant.  Our room has a balcony that looks down the shoreline toward the Little Orme.  The dining was, as usual, was also elegant.     

London to Coombe Abby

June 10, 2013

After another fine English breakfast at Garfunkles, we boarded the bus and headed out of the bustle of London to quiet of the surrounding country that makes up all of the rest of the UK.  It was a beautiful ride through the farmlands with the hedge fences, flocks of sheep and fields of hay.

Our first stop was at the Brooklands Museum.  It is advertized as the “The Birthplace of British Motorsport and Aviation” and located between Weybridge and

Original Brooklands Track and Facilities

Byfleet to the northwest of London.  It is where the first paved racetrack was built.  It had very highly banked curves and numerous early speed records were set there.  The track finally closed at the outset of WWII when the government took over the airstrip that had been created in the infield in 1908.  The first flight by an Englishman took place at Brooklands in 1909.  It was the site of the Vickers aircraft factory  Numerous planes were produced including the

Car that held the track record in 1934
Powered by a 12 cylinder (3 rows of 4)
Aircraft engine

Hawkers and major components of the SST Concord (the first of which is on display there).  The museum itself is filled with early racing cars and motorcycles.  A number of speed records were recorded on the track.  They also have a bus museum and a bicycle collection. 

While we were there, Prince Michael of Kent, the patron prince of the museum, arrived in his antique Bentley convertible wearing his leather helmet and goggles and with his goggled and helmeted body guards riding in the back seat.  He was there to present some so award to the museum.

We  had lunch in the iconic Club House which was used by drivers and race officials in the early years of racing at Brooklands.  Obviously with my love of cars and airplanes, I truly enjoyed this stop.  We spent about 3 ½ hours roaming through the old auto sheds that had been restored to their original color schemes

Cockpit of the Concord

and signage using old photographs. 

From there we headed on to a mystery location, information about which we were kept in the dark by our tour leader.  He had told us that we would be staying in a castle but refused to give us further information saying that he didn’t want us to go online and discover the grandeur of this place.  He wanted us to experience the “wow” factor as we entered.  Well, it was an experience. 

Prince Michael's Bentley

Our destination and lodging was in the Coombe Abby, a restored monastery the original buildings of which were built in 1150.  And again, I don’t possess the vocabulary to describe this beautiful place.  The furnishings, grounds and structure itself are truly magnificent.  I must include pictures and I provide a website for you to see for yourself.  http://www.coombeabbey.com/

We dined in elegance in their

The Front of Coombe Abbey from the Bridge
over the moat

solarium restaurant being served wines, sardines, guinea fowl and a wonderful dessert called eaton mess.  We are becoming more acquainted with the members of the group including our bus driver and found this to be a most enjoyable evening.





The Abbey from one of the gardens

The Grand Suite

The Reception Desk

One of the gardens

Another Day in London

June 9, 2013

It’s Sunday and finding an early rising restaurant for breakfast was a bit of a challenge.  Our goal was to grab an early meal, catch the underground and shoot out to the Tower of London and then be back in time for a river dinner cruise.  We finally got into a little place and we both had strawberry pancakes with strawberry syrup and vanilla ice cream on top!  Whoa!  It was great.  I will bring this recipe back to the States!

We wandered to a subway station and walked down and immediately onto a

Tower of London

waiting train, made one stop and arrived at the Tower in about 10 minutes.  This is a much better way to get around the city than the tour busses.  I am sure we could have figured out the city bus routes; however, it wouldn’t have been as fast and convenient as the “Tube.”

We assumed that the Tower opened at 9:00 but found out that they began letting folks in at 10:00.  We were able to purchase our tickets early and then enjoyed a cup of Starbucks and a cinnamon roll while we waited.  I needed  a bit more sugar to complete my ultimate sugar high!

Waterloo Block, home for the Crown Jewels

The Tower is magnificent.  We had time to tour the hall where the crown jewels are housed and, as you can imagine, they were over the top.  Pictures were not allowed so I can’t show them, and I am not sure I have the vocabulary to describe them.  How about really neat!  We next wandered through the White Castle, the oldest structure in the Tower.  It is the place where most of the infamous happenings like tortures, beheadings, and confinements occurred.  It also served as an armory for many years.  The displays of cannons, swords, body armor, and the like were excellent and most interesting.

White Tower

  The Tower of London is definitely a “must see” sight when visiting London.

We caught the tube back to Embankment station which is located right next to the Thames River and the dock where we joined our group for a wonderful dinner cruise on the river.  The cruise boat was huge and our meal was enhanced by a live jazz quartet.  We were served a smoked salmon hors d’oeuvres, specially prepared chicken breasts and vegetables, and a dark chocolate brownie (the name brownie doesn’t do it justice).  All of this was accompanied with wine.  It was a luxurious meal served as we passed stately building, bridges, and dwellings. 

A small portion of Paraliment from the River Thames

The Globe Theater from the River Thames

After lunch, we wandered back to our room where we both promptly fell asleep.  We had been running nonstop ever since we started this trip and a bit of down time was in order.  In the evening I discovered that the hotel provided a free washer and dryer so I took our dirty duds and refreshed them.  I finished that project at about 8:00 and since we hadn’t had evening nourishment, we wandered down to the Boyd’s to get something light to eat, only to find that they serve no food except bar food on Sunday evenings so I got a plate with a couple of pieces of cheese and some crackers along with a lemon tart and a martini.  Janine had a lemon tart and coffee.  The final bill was 35.00 pounds or about 50 bucks.  Ugh.  It was then back to the room and early to bed.

A day in London

June 8, 2013

We both slept well.  Our guide decided that the fee for breakfast in our hotel was way too steep so while in London, we would be on our own for breakfast.  About two doors away from the hotel is a Garfunkels Restaurant where several of us gathered for our morning feeding.  I had my usual eggs and bacon, with beans, and sausage. 

Our breakfast party was made up of a couple from Ohio who owns a MG Midget, a lady from California who owns an Morris Minor and a lady who owns a Triumph Spitfire.  It was an interesting group and it was fun getting to know them.  There are a total of 20 folks with whom we are traveling.

Elizabeth Tower, Home of Big Ben

Our first function of the day was a ride on an open top tour bus.  Luckily the front of the top of the bus has a top over it because the temperature was in the low 50’s and uncomfortable in the wind at the back of the bus.  Our tour lasted for 2 ½ hours and I can’t begin to describe all of the amazing sights that we saw.  I told several folks that my brain went on cultural and architectural overload.  I am providing a few pictures to make my point.

A couple of things that made this trip a bit

Tower Bridge Open to let Sailboat Through

more special were watching the tower bridge open to allow a fairly large sailboat to pass through.  It wasn’t a big deal for Janine and me because we have done that numerous times on our boat, but evidently it is a rare occasion here.  For one thing, about a half mile farther upstream, there is a low bridge that large boats cannot pass under so I wondered, “what’s the point?”



Passing Parade



Also, London is preparing for celebration of the Queens 60^th year as the ruling monarch and also her birthday (which occurred back in April, but is traditionally celebrated in the “warmth” of June).  The actual celebrations will occur in a week, however, on two different occasions, we saw marching troops, bands, and horse processionals parading through the streets in rehearsal for the big day.  The horse parade was amazing.  The horses were ridden in lines of four and Janine quit counting when she got to 25 lines. 

Just a building; one of thousands

And there were considerably more.  They were perfectly aligned.  It was an amazing sight. 

After the first bus tour, we disembarked and headed for a different line that was to take us to museums and the western part of the city.  This was an hour long tour and less interesting.  For one thing, our first tour guide was young and very witty as well as very well versed in the sights and happenings in London.  Our second tour was a taped script that was played to us via ear buds.    



Beautiful statues everwhere



Outer wall of the Tower of London

The museum tour ended at sometime around 1:00 in the afternoon and we were in need of a rest room and lunch so we started looking for that perfect little restaurant but those two necessities are not as common in London (or at least where we were) so we ended back at Garfunkles. 

We decided to get back on the tour bus and head for a hop off spot of interest, however, using that system to get to a specific destination added at least 2 ½ hours to any activity so we really didn’t have time to visit any specific spot before we needed to be back at the hotel.  So, we rode the tour bus around to the point where we started near our hotel and got off.  We need more time to see all of the multitude of sights that are London.

We walked to the little Garrick Arms Pub where our leader again handed out our meal order cards.  While we were waiting for our meal, someone in the bar yelled that there was a bicycle parade of nude people passing by.  And, sure enough, there were literally hundreds of naked men and women riding past, most of them

Winston looking at Parliment -
electrified so pigeons can't land on his head

entirely nude!   They were protesting something like the overuse of fossil fuels for transportation.  At one point in the passing, a bar patron dropped his pants in salute to the passing throngs.  It was an amazing display of all shapes and sizes!

After dinner, we walked a short distance to a beautiful small Wyndham’s Theater where we were entertained in the best of seats by a play entitled “Relatively Speaking.”  It was a delightfully funny play.  We were also given a small bottle of champagne to enhance our enjoyment.  A fun evening.

At the conclusion, several of the group wandered though Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus where the Saturday night crowd was gathered in a fashion similar to what we have seen in Times Square.  The lights and grandeur was, although not as extensive in NYC, bright and colorful.  We wandered through a couple of shops before the late hour began to wear on us so we left the group and headed back to the hotel.  It was a fun day.