Showing posts with label United Kingdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United Kingdom. Show all posts

May 14, 2016

The Flying Scotsman: Tickets To Ride

Flying Scotsman Borders Railway and Forth Bridge trip back on

Flying ScotsmanImage copyrightAP
The Flying Scotsman will be allowed to run on the Borders Railway and Forth Bridge on Sunday after a climbdown by Network Rail.
Excursion operators had been told on Friday the trip must be cancelled because it could not be sure the engine was suitable for the line.
Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne apologised and said an investigation would take place.
Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay branded the affair a "debacle".
Hundreds of steam enthusiasts are planning to turn out to watch the newly-restored locomotive run on the Borders line, which re-opened last September.
Late on Friday afternoon, however, Network Rail said it it did not have the right data to "gauge" the Flying Scotsman - a process which involves checking if it fits within structures such as platforms and bridges on the line.
A planned trip across the Forth Bridge into Fife later in the day was also cancelled for the same reason.
Network Rail reversed its decision on both journeys less than 24 hours later, after intensive lobbying.

'Wholehearted apology'

Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne said: "Overnight and through today our engineers and analysts have worked hard to find a way to get the necessary safety checks and engineering assessments done.
"I am pleased to say that we have been successful and are now able to reinstate the original planned tours of Flying Scotsman in Scotland on Sunday.
"I wholeheartedly and sincerely apologise for the consternation caused by the premature announcement yesterday.
"Once the tours have been safely and successfully run, I will be instigating a full investigation into how this problem occurred on our railway in Scotland."
Transport Minister Derek Mackay had earlier accused the rail body of "appalling incompetence" and described the situation as a "debacle".
He later tweeted: "Solved. Flying Scotsman will run on Borders and Fife. Questions remain on how it came to this, but thanks a solution was found."
The leader of Scottish Borders Council David Parker praised the efforts to resolve the deadlock.
Flying ScotsmanImage copyrightAP
"The Flying Scotsman will visit the Borders tomorrow as planned," he said.
"All of the planned events at Galashiels and Tweedbank are back on. The Flying Scotsman is coming and the problems have been resolved.
"ScotRail have worked tirelessly over the past 24 hours and in that period of time have managed to sort out problems that Network Rail couldn't do in 12 weeks.
"There's been incredible partnership working and some fantastic work done by the team in Scotland and I can't praise them enough
"But the message to Borderers and the many people coming to visit our regions is that all the work behind the scenes has paid off. The Flying Scotsman's coming and all events are back on."
The locomotive is due to arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station later on Saturday, ahead of the Borders and Fife trips.
Built in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in 1923, the Flying Scotsman pulled the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934.
The National Railway Museum in York bought the locomotive for £2.3m in 2004 before work got under way on its decade-long restoration two years later.
In February Network Rail was forced to pay out almost £60,000 in compensation when dozens of train services were delayed by people encroaching on the track during the refurbished train's inaugural run from London to York.
from bbc.com

Oct 19, 2015

Fields of Lavender in Provence, France.....okay--we're going there........





Fields of Lavender in Provence, France


Now let's visit these Lavender fields in Provence, France........It's beautiful--how can we get there--what is it like to actually stand in the middle of those purple blue rows--is it an overwhelming aroma of lavender wafting through our being.

I'm suggesting we take British Airways from San Diego and stop for a visit in London on the way.

We will see some shows and do a little shopping--we will stop for a Ramos Fizz at the Ritz.

The important question--where to have our tea.Afternoon-tea-at-The-Goring

Shall we do a little shopping--window shop on Savile Row and then look for shirting fabric at Liberty of London..........



Seriously, I know where there are plenty of really nice fabric shops, also buttons, at great prices--one cannot find these fabrics in San Diego.


Plenty of apps to help us find things......dinner, discounts, transportation.


We will be sure and stay at a hotel with a brilliant English Breakfast to get our day of sightseeing off to a good start.

We will get a package with hotel, breakfast and airline and then we will only spend on shopping, shows and transportation and dinner.

We could take an inexpensive flight to France but I am suggesting the Channel Tunnel for convenience and more fun.......it's just easier to end up at the train station and take a taxi to our destination......right, I love the Paris train stations, too.

It would be fun to stay a few days in Paris and try to find the roasted chicken and some of the food that Phil Rosenberg had in that PBS show.....I'll Have What Phil's Having.

Paris is so fun just walking around.....I love walking......I have always wanted to walk in the park that is made from an unused elevated metro track.

Let's also be sure and try the hot chocolate Phil was talking about......
Chocolat Chaud.the ronnie republic
This is where Phil had his Choc.......we will take our picture sitting here, too.


Well, the trip is starting to shape up, but what about actually seeing those Lavender Fields.........shall we jump on the TGV and head down to Provence and check it out?




Story in progress.....to be continued.........suggestions accepted










picture.....jigsaw jam.......story......cl







Aug 30, 2015

New Openings London: file under My London Obsession.......

New Openings London
@Newopenings
Bringing you London's latest restaurant, bar and hotel openings as well as pop-ups, news, reviews & booze! harry@newopenings.london@BurnleyOfficial
London · http://www.newopenings.london






Check out New Openings London if you like to see cool pictures of food.........and then you will want to go there immediately like I do right now..............



look at this.......

Embedded image permalink


How cool is this full English bunny from South African street food experts



Where is it and how do I get there..........

May 3, 2013

The Princess Diana Fountain in Hyde Park, London, England




from flickr:

the ronnie republic Pro User says:

I tried to capture the look and feel and the sound of this fountain. Everyone was really having a good time. It is a tranquil setting and I think it has complete design balance. The set slide show takes about 5 minutes. The Gran with the kids was telling me how much she admired Diana and she felt Diana would be here in spirit for the wedding. She also loved William and Harry and Kate.

These pictures were taken approximately 2 years ago right before the wedding of William and Kate. Hyde Park has so many beautiful fountains--they are all very interesting and different. There is a very nice and affordable cafeteria type restaurant there, as well.

On Google Maps it is real easy to zoom in on all of these areas and plan an easy walking tour of Hyde Park.  The tube stations are easy to see, as well.

 link to:
The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen in Hyde Park

We're open no matter the weather so if you need a quick coffee on way way through the park, or are looking for somewhere to meet friends for brunch on a Sunday there really is no better place to sit back, relax and enjoy the view - whatever the weather!

To see our breakfast menu and all other menus, click here.

Please check the website of The Serpentine for exact prices and location as there are many places to eat in Hyde Park but this is particularly nice with the swans by the lake.....affordable or expensive....this can mean anything in London.....

A little price warning so as not to be surprised on the charge card bill later.....

A cup of coffee for one and a rest at a relaxing chair by the lake while enjoying the view of the swans is one thing but a large lunch for two can easily become very pricy in London....basically I just consider everything to be doubled by the time I see it on my charge card and who likes a surprise like that.....talking about the US dollar to the pound.

I'm just saying it is a lot less expensive when I go alone as compared to buying lunch and a glass of wine for the two of us if I bring my daughter on my vacay.....having said that it is much more fun for me when we go together....you know what I mean.......

link from google:  Serpentine Bar and Kitchen London:

https://www.google.com/search?source=ig&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS270&q=serpentine+bar+and+kitchen+london&oq=serpentine+bar+an&gs_l=igoogle.1.0.0l2.745.5446.0.8655.8.5.0.3.3.0.516.1116.1j2j1j5-1.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.y6u1A1S5UzE

and the link to google maps:

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=serpentine+bar+and+kitchen+london&fb=1&gl=us&hq=serpentine+bar+and+kitchen&hnear=0x47d8a00baf21de75:0x52963a5addd52a99,London,+UK&cid=0,0,3322543303888937233&ei=auKDUbjFFaesiAKExYDADg&ved=0CEAQrwswAQ

more good info on Hyde Park:

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park 

May 1, 2013

Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom




Published on May 1, 2013
These pictures were taken approximately 2 years ago during the refurbishment of Kensington Palace prior to the wedding of William and Kate. The older gentleman in the photos is Arthur, he has been going there and chatting with the squirrels for many years. He said that Princess Diana used to go jogging in Hyde Park in the mornings and occasionally they would have a little chat. The tour of the Palace was very cute and informational with girls dressed in period clothing and reenacting daily living that would have taken place there during different periods in history.