Rainbow Lodge Hotel Reading

... a doze, and we’re soon ready for the luggage drop. Security is the usual inefficient hassle (no problem with the checks, but why can’t they sharpen the process?) and then through to the shoppers paradise. Vanda looks for perfume, but can’t find any that suits (it suits my wallet though). More reading, a sandwich and before we know it we’re on the train to Gate area B. Boarding takes for ever, and for some reason we eventually take of an hour ...

<br><br><br>"Whatever can go wrong at the most inopportune moment, will" Sod's law<br><br>All I had to do today was to get the laptop ready for travel: clear out old files to make space for photos, transfer my planning files with all the hotel, travel and other necessary detail; and check in.<br><br>First the laptop email chose ...

... Bekey, Mum and Dad and then set off to Birmingham Moor Street for the first stage of my trip, train to Heathrow airport with Kate. Made a few last minute phone calls to Tina (little sis) and Tom and got to the platform with minutes to spare.<br><br>Kate provided a lovely picnic on the train and we spent a couple of hours making crazy plans, gossiping about work and chattering like kids. Between the 2 of us we managed to negotiate the London Tube system with all my bags ...

... Call me American, but I could live in the UK indefinitely and never, ever stop finding that charming. Some things just never get old. Of course, the truth is, I wasn't staying there. Not in the overnight sense, anyway. Lissy picked me up this morning (or, at this point, yesterday morning) at Reading station for a brief and lovely day of shopping, National Trust home visiting, eating and, of course, more eating. Late last night, after a ...

... traffic congestion! Here are the highlights: Buckingham Palace Big Ben Tower of London London Eye St. Paul's Cathedral Westminster Abbey The Thames &amp; panoramic view crossing the bridges It was so much to take in and we had so little time at each place we stopped, but it was a great way to see all there is to see and to figure out what I will want to go back to and visit for an extended time period. St. Paul's was gigantic and ...

... into the weekend. I'm still looking for a place to live. Not making much progress on that front. Today is Saturday, may try to do some sightseeing type things today. Wonder if I can convince anyone to come to a musical tonight. I haven't seen anything since I got to London. Partly because it's so expensive even if you use the half-price ticket booth.

... railway and the two freeways (hence, I suppose, the Triangle). Though you would think you'd hear traffic noise, you don't. You barely hear the train as it goes through - maybe just the dinging of the doors as they open or the quiet voice of the ethereal door person saying to stand back from the doors or where the train is going to. It is not a bother at all. I met her lovely cat Thomas, who welcomed me greatly. When Elizabeth got home we had some nice cooling drinks ...

... Thousands of white ballons were released to pay tribure to one of Liverpool's most famous son. It's only befitting that I end my entry with a tribute to John Lennon, who famously sang about "living life in peace" in the classic, 'Imagine'. "Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one." - John Lennon "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon

... moaning and just get on with it! <br><br>So many choices and so many places but all I've managed to decide on so far is to start in Venezuela and then follow my nose. Well, if truth must be told, I'm pampering myself a bit beforehand with a wee visit to Madrid and Antigua. Two guys from the rowing club are teaming up to row the Atlantic with their ...

... the Bishops who profited from their exploitation. The bishops profited for more than 4 centuries from these ladies of the evening that came to be nicknamed the 'Winchester Geese'. Today is the most beautiful day I have seen yet in England. The sun is shining and there is not a cloud in the sky. I am hoping to find somewhere to roller skate before the day is done, but until then I am writing ...