My Very First Video Travel Log!

Anyone reading this knows I travel to the UK as often as possible.  Well, I threatened last time I was there to do a "compilation" video.  Of course, it only took me a year and a half to do it!

I'm thrilled with how it came out!  I was very touched when one lady told me it had made her cry (she loves Ireland as much as I love England).  But... you know I love all of the UK, really.  I know England better than other parts, but it's all gorgeous and thick with history, breathtaking landscapes, and interesting people.

So, for all you UK fans - and for my friends.  Click here:  What I Love about the UK .

This is the year!

I am back on track for a visit to the olde country.  Yes, airfares went down an amazing $200 recently, and I snapped up a ticket.

I'm scared, but hopeful that this will be a brilliant year for travel. 

So, what's on the agenda?  Well, the royal wedding for one.  I originally thought that I would grab my souvenirs and depart London the day of the wedding, but the more I look at it, the more I think I may want to just base in London this time.  Of course, a small return to the Lake District would be fun... but, I can always check the weather while I'm over there to see if I want to make the trip or not.  Spontaneous?  Me???  That could be dangerous!

:)

Thing is, I've never really toured the south.  I think it might be fun to check out Oxford, the Cotswolds, Bournemouth, Colchester, and other southern towns.  Who knows - I may even get to one of the surrounding British Isles this trip.  Now that would be a coup!

I just read that there will be a commemorative Oyster (subway) card for the wedding (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11914982).  What *will* they think of next?  How about a commemorative coin?  http://www.royalmint.com/store/WorldBase/PWKEBP.aspx.  One where the gorgeous Kate resembles Janis Joplin.

Stamps, mugs, what else are we in for?  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8264737/Royal-Wedding-Stanley-Gibbons-predicts-boost-from-stamps-and-mugs.html

Perhaps all our shopoholicism will result in a boost for the English economy.  However, my pocketbook is already squeaking.  Will work for souvenirs!

God Bless.

My top ten small towns in the UK

1. Keswick

Why?

• Derwentwater and other lakes in vicinity
• Awesome B&B (Goodwin House)
• Vicinity of many sights (Beatrix Potter museum, William Wordsworth's house, etc.)
• Amazing hiking

2. Kilburn

Why?

• White Horse Cliff
• Sutton Bank - Yorkshire Moors National Park
• Robert Thompson Woodworker

3. Knaresborough

Why?

• Market Day
• Castle
• Viaduct
• Mother Shipton's Cave

4. Ripon

Why?

• Market Day
• Ripon Cathedral
• Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey (vicinity)

5. Hawes

Why?

• Ropemakers museum
• Wensleydale Cheese factory/tour
• Beautiful countryside

6. Conwy, Wales

Why?

• Castle ruins
• Vicinity of Llandudno
• Lewis Carrol/Alice in Wonderland Museum
• The Great Orm

7. Pitlochery, Scotland

Why?

• Quaint town with lots of shops
• Blair Athol Distillery
• Beautiful countryside

8. Cromer

Why?

• Beach
• RNLI Museum
• Norwich Castle (vicinity)

9. Bath

Why?

• Quaint old town with shops.
• Roman Baths
• Vicinity of Stonehenge

10. Greenwich

Why?

• Greenwich mean time line
• Cutty Sark
• Lovely indoor market
• Quaint yet still on the London Oystercard zones

Dan's

It’s early morning. My eyes are barely open, and yet… I’m on my way to work. Too tired to make breakfast, I decide to dial the only restaurant I keep in my cell phone. On speed dial.

Dan’s Hamburgers.

Why Dan’s?

Well, they’re on the way to work. :)

And they make good, fattening, diner-style breakfasts. This is important to anyone who calls themselves a southerner. We revel in our eggs, fried apples, grits, and hashbrowns. Our biscuits with gravy and our ham with red-eye gravy. Well, depending on what part of the south you’re in, of course.

Today, I clicked my speed dial and ordered my usual: eggs and grits.

I entered Dan’s and the world of cheap, 1950s style diner unfolded before me. Counter help wearing white uniforms. Waitresses wearing maroon aprons.

Apparently, Dan was once married to Fran. When they split, the franchise split to become a few joints called Dan’s Hamburgers and others called Frans.

All I know is that back when I ate meat, Dan’s made a pretty darn good burger.

And they make good breakfasts.

I stepped up to the counter and gave my name.

Like they were heralding royalty, the counter help intoned: “Joy’s here!” “Joy’s here!” to the cooks in the back.

I smiled and had to stifle a royal wave.

A bag was produced, and my iced tea provided. I paid the fare and walked out to my car. There is something comforting and soothing about having breakfast at a place like Dan’s. It’s like walking into Cheers.

As I sat down at my desk to eat my creamy grits, I thought about things like warmth and friendship and good, down-home cooking. Thank God for Dan’s. It just starts my day out right somehow!

And the Wheels Turn...

I've been considering my travel exploits as of late.  Due to the ever-increasing difficulty of getting overseas airfare for a reasonable price (tickets are running about $1200 RT to the UK through Travelocity for the May/June timeframe), I am doubting my ability to make a trip to my beloved England this year. *sigh*  I'll do my best, but it will take much larger bank roll than I will likely have the wallet for.

That leaves me with lots of alternative options, of course.  As you know, I recently returned from New Orleans which is only a few short hours away.  The Ozarks, which I visited summer before last, are also an option.  I live in one of the most fun and scenic parts of the US here in Austin, so there's plenty to do right at home.  San Antonio, too, is one of my favorite cities with it's Riverwalk and El Mercado. 

There's Fredricksburg, New Braunfels, Salado, Wimberley, and Greune when I need a day trip and Walburg German food to assuage the European in me.

Here are some links for those places:

Ozarks:
Eureka Springs
Austin, TX
San Antonio
Fredricksburg
Wimberley
Salado
Greune
New Braunfels
Walburg

Of course, my folks live south of Houston, so I get to see Galveston.  A lot.  And since I was raised nearby, I know a ton of places to go there.  I'll put that information in a separate posting.

I am traveling next weekend with a friend from Tyler on a day trip... somewhere.  We'll see where we end up!

In the meantime, I'm home with my puppies and content - for a few days - to sit still and make a quick trip to Eric's place for them to run a time or two this week.

Take care, travel pals, and see you next time!

Toobin' down the Guadalupe - New Braunfels:

Walburg German Restaurant



Nawlins!

I will likely blog more on this when I get time, but here are the highlights of my trip to New Orleans last weekend:

Our hotel was GREAT!  St. Christopher: http://www.stchristopherhotel.com/ Ask for room 605 – it was roomy and quiet and very well appointed.


It’s also a Best Western if you’re collecting points.

First, for beignets, we stopped by Café du Monde. Get there by 8:45 or there will be a line! Afterwards, we headed further down Decatur to the French Market. It’s an open air farmer’s market and sort of flea market where you can get souvenirs and such. There is also a psychic there called Audrey who I highly recommend.

Audrey: http://exogenynetwork.com/Audrey.aspx
French Market: http://www.frenchmarket.org/
Café du Monde: http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Then, headed back to Jackson Square – because it’s a great place to people watch, and because there are artists, psychics, mimes, and musicians there:

http://www.jackson-square.com/

I just wandered the streets after that. Royal Street has a really fun shop called Fifi Mahoney’s (I actually got a wig there!). Whether you buy one or not, it’s a LOT of fun to try them on! http://fifimahonys.com/

For lunch, if you want a taste of New Orleans, the locals go to a place called Johnny’s: http://www.johnnyspoboy.com/ or Café Maspero: http://www.pierremasperosrestaurant.com/.

You can book a tour – they’re kind of fun. Recommend this one: http://www.hauntedhistorytours.com/Haunted.htm (the ghost tour is always fun). Book ahead for either the 6 or 8 pm walking tours.

By mid-afternoon, I was whupped and went to nap at the hotel.

For dinner in the French Quarter, I recommend either Court of Two Sisters: http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/ or Gallatoires: http://www.galatoires.com/. Lots of people disagree as to the best food in the French Quarter, but I’ve never been disappointed with these two. Court of Two Sisters is more classic fare, and galatoires is more creole. Both are excellent.

Someone recommended Deanie’s to us, so we went there this weekend. Huge disappointment. It’s not a gourmet place – more of a gourmand place – where they pile a plate high with fried seafood. Not really impressed with the atmosphere or the food. The waitress was nice.

Of course, at night, you have to see Bourbon Street. It’s formidable even during the day, but the music (all kinds) is blasting at high volume so much that the bass throbs through your body. I was surprised I wasn’t bouncing along the street! It’s highly crowded, and I don’t drink much – so it’s not really my cup of tea. For a less distracting version of Bourbon Street – go along Royal. There’s music there (just not so much).

Even though I had a bad Pat O’Brien’s experience, I’d still recommend going there at night to see the fire fountain: http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens/.

On your way to or from New Orleans, make a stop in Lafayette to see my friends Rick and Charlotte at Meche’s Donut King. First off, Ricky and Charlotte are the nicest people on the planet. Second, they make the best donuts and king cake in Lafayette. Here’s a trip advisor review for them: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g40261-d826049-Reviews-Meche_s_Donut_King-Lafayette_Louisiana.html. Tell them you know Joy from Austin and give them a huge hug for me. Those two are more like a Sonny & Cher comedy team. Love them!

Considering Travel

It’s early on a Wednesday morning. Hump day as we call them here. Once you’re over the hump, it’s all downhill. However, at the moment, I’m staring at Wednesday from the base of Mount Everest… thinking of the climb to the summit and feeling very weary.
I met with a friend last week to discuss travel plans. She had some ideas. I had some ideas. I’m not sure that they mesh.

She would like to spend all our time in Greece. And, while I think Greece would be interesting, it’s cutting into time I could better use in the UK. I haven’t seen every square inch of the British Isles yet… and I so want to.

People don’t stop to think (well, Americans don’t) that the UK is a collection of about a zillion islands. Of course there’s the big one (England/Scotland/Wales)… but then you have the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Gurnsey, Portsea Island, Portland, the Shetland Islands, Orkney… so many I could go on forever.

Then, there’s Lindisfarne (Holy Island) which the Vikings ransacked and nearly destroyed Catholicism in Britain. Darn those Vikings!

I have seen none of them.

Or how about a trip to Findhorn… one of the oldest running spiritual communes in the world, and one of the best known. Findhorn

I want to see Inverness and Aberdeen and Penzance and Cornwall and Cardiff.

And, of course, I want to see the rest of Ireland.

You see? I have enough to keep me busy for a lifetime of visits.

In Greece, I’d want to sit in a hammock on Santorini island and gel. I’m not even that interested in the architecture or history. I know that’s sacrilege.

It would be a beautiful visit for me, but probably not very intellectually fulfilling. I’m just a very focused traveler, I suppose.

Sometimes, it worries me that I may not be able to do this much longer. I’m 52 now…soon to be 53. The trips are becoming more and more wearing as the years go by. It’s not physical weakness as much as it is … the length of the trip, the frustrations of traveling to and from such a distant place, leaving my dogs knowing they will be traumatized for the two weeks I’m gone… that sort of thing.

Each trip, I travel as if it’s my last… because it may well be.

And, perhaps we are supposed to travel that way. It makes it very easy to live in the moment and enjoy the breadth and depth of the experience.