UK Holiday 2022

Days 31 to 38 Queen Mary 2 When:  August 21 to 28 Where:  Atlantic Ocean from Southampton UK to New York City Weather:  Mostly cloudy. Some fog.  Then getting warmer and sunnier each day. What:  Transatlantic Oceanliner.  The Queen Mary 2 is not considered a cruise ship but an oceanliner that is built specifically for the voyage between UK and USA and can handle the rough surf and weather of the Atlantic.   Who:  Dan, Brent, Don, Judy (former neighbours in Vancouver) And new friends Michelle and Gini. This was dressup night and masquerade. Workout: smaller gym that was sometimes quite full. Many amateurs (those that only workout when on holiday, and only because if makes them feel better about eating and drinking too much - yes, I am judgemental as they’re frequently in my way!) Walking: round and round the ship.  One mile is three complete rounds. Sunday 13.66 Monday 10.97 Tuesday 8.55 Wednesday 7  Thursday 6.39 Friday 9.51 Saturda...

Days 27 to 30 Wales and Windsor  When:  17 to 20 August Where:  Small town in Northern Wales and Windsor Weather:  All over the place.  Wales was drizzly.  Windsor was an absolute deluge of rain (that I drove through) and then hot, and then variable with rain, sun, rain, and about 23C What:  Mostly just touring around.  Seeing the sites of North Wales and Southern England. Who:  Just us Workout: At the hotel. Very nice little gym, but the ladies doing power aerobics to rap music was just a bit much. Walking: 9.67, 4.38, 14.15, 3.63 km Wine:  Still mostly NZ Sauvignon Blanc.  But 7 new types from all over at our pairing dinner. We also went to a very nice winery in Kent and got some bubbles.  Whine:  Our time in UK is coming to an end. Whisky:  None really, but there was some in this nice bar: Wtf: These were near the Monument to the Magna Carta.  No idea what they were supposed to represent, but reminded me of Th...

Days 23 to 26 Ellesmere Port When:  12 to 15 August  Where:  Ellesmere Port, near Chester and Liverpool  Weather:  HOT! Highs of 33C, then much cooler, clouds, and a bit of rain.  What:  Visiting relatives and exploring. And Football!  Who:  Dan, Brent, Colin, Sue, Debbie, Nick Workout: A very well equipped gym about 20 min walk from Colin's and Sue's. Walking: 5.52, 6.32, 17.54, 12.88 km Wine:  Many late night bottles. Whine:  It's too hot! It's raining! Whisky:  None at all. Wtf: Also, Colin at a Liverpool game and meeting John Wark (check him out in Wikipedia)! Wild: this house (Chatsworth): Wildlife: crows, magpies, wood pigeons. Water: This water feature at Chatsworth House, except they turned it off likely due to drought. Also, we dipped our feet into the Irish Sea. Wonderful: Spending time with cousins Sue and Colin. And going to the game!

Days 19 to 22 Edinburgh, Scotland  When:  4 to 8 August  Where:  Edinburgh  Weather:  Beautiful. Mostly sunny and 25c to 27c. Even went to the beach one afternoon  What:  Enjoying Edinburgh.  Fringe festival, good food, and the Edinburgh Tattoo. Who:  Brent, Dan, and a cast of thousands of tourists! Workout: Found a very nice gym.  Extremely well equipped, very large, and not too many people there.  And cheap!  12 pounds for 3 workouts. Walking: 5.42 14.01 18.87 (I think this is a record in UK) 13.33 km Wine:  Mostly Sauvignon Blanc.  We should really travel to New Zealand more. Whine:  The cast of thousands of tourists! Whisky:  none! Maybe that should be under WTF. But we did go to a really cool pub called The Devil's Advocate.  Wtf: The weather!  Who would have thought it would be so hot in bloody Scotland!   Wild: Dan navigating the crowds on The Royal Mile.  I have mastered...

Day 15 to 19 Isle of Skye When:  4 to 7 August  Where:  Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland. The hotel was once a hunting lodge built by Clan MacDonald. This is our turret. Weather:  Highly variable.  Sunshine then pouring rain. Cool, highs of 15c and some wind. The last two days were mainly cloudy and rainy. What:  Touring this beautiful isle. Who:  Just us.  Very friendly staff at the hotel.  Many jaywalking tourists. Workout: Nice gym affiliated with the hotel. Very small but well equipped.  Mostly empty  Walking: 10.32, 6.53, 11.22, 6.02 km This trail. Not nearly as foreboding as it looks. Wine:  Stepped it up (or down) to French Sauvignon Blanc.  Brent decided to stop drinking for a bit. Whine:  Bloody rain! Whisky:  Talisker Whisky.  A very nice distillery with a very long and winding road to it.  The staff were super chill and friendly. Wtf: The so-called "road" to Talisker Beach. Navigating a one la...