F@$#ed

We got to the rental car return, turned it in, got to the airport but alas you can't check in more than a few hours early!! We then looked for luggage stashing, it exists but closes and doesn't open until 5:45 am a bit too tight to catch a 6:40 am flight. Found out train stations can stash luggage so we could take the tube to a train station and then store our luggage there until 4am or so. Damn! Train storage closes as well and doesn't open until 7am! WTF! In addition, tube shuts down sometime after midnight and doesn't start backup until 5ish and would put us back at the airport at 6:30 at the earliest so tube to the airport would be out anyway. Ok what about storing in nearby [to airport] hotel, ferkers don't do that because of "security", BS! They can take all my info and a few pounds and store by luggage, it would be no different than if we got a room. If I was up to no good I would book a room, have them store my luggage and do my bad things. How the hell does this policy enhance security!? Ok, so we had one last good idea, we could rent a car for the night, keep the bags in the car and drive into london and park. I booked it online, $60 for the night even though it would be only for about 5 hours, city was back on the itinerary! We went to the shuttle pickup spot to call Dollar, ring, ring, ring, ring, ...., ... , .... Redial... ring, ring, ..., ..., BS!! No one ever answered so after waiting and calling for 15 minutes we gave up. Rental car companies seem to close at midnight, that's about the time it is now, so here we will stay at the airport with all of our bags waiting until 5am or so when the check-in opens. What a waste. Next time we will keep the car until the flight since you can't check in more than a few hours early, especially the night before an early morning flight. Alternatively, we would book a departure flight a little later in the morning if possible then we could have taken advantage of airport or train station luggage storage.

Final Day

We are going to spend a few more hours in Port Isaac before driving to London Heathrow (6 hour drive or so). Charming little fishing village with tiny little streets, difficult to drive. We had good food last night, I had halibut and Cathy had lamb! Finished off with treacle tart, mmmmm!

In London we are going to check in early then power through the night, one last bit of fish and chips with mushy peas and maybe some indian food. Flight leaves at 6:40 am.

Devon Country Fayre and Sheepdog Trials

We went to a local fair and got to see sheepdogs in action! Lots of home made foods including pork roast sandwiches, pasties, and treats!! Also a lot of real crafts, none of that super shammy or knives that cut through kryptonite.

Cathy was in heaven because of all the dogs, dogs everywhere. Herding dogs, retrievers, pointers, big dogs, small dogs. DOGS!

U2 at Cardiff, Wales

Stonehenge!

Exmoor -- Rain :-(

Jurassic Coast -- Fossils!

More Cheese!

Arrive at Timsbury Cottage Near Bath

London Arrival and Family in Manchester

We arrived in London England on the 11th. We got our room at the County Inn and went out to find a bite to eat. We ate dinner at an indian restaurant which was very tasty. It was about 9pm [London time] by the time we got back to the hotel and we were pretty tired so we passed out quickly.

Complimentry breakfast was good, beans, eggs, tomatoes, and bacon--pretty standard but pretty tasty. We then voyaged a bit further into London to find a cell phone to use while in England [and other countries]. I had already planned this out so we made our way to a t-mobile store on Oxford Street, we got the phone and contacted Cathy's relatives.

We made our way back to Euston station where we caught a train to Manchester. The trains are very fast and quiet and stop for only a few minutes at each stop, this is good as it makes for efficient travel. However, this is problemmatic for those who don't realize the efficiency, we were just donning our packs and getting ready to move to the exit doors when the train began moving again--we had now missed our stop. Stops are literally only a few minutes long. Anyway, Cathy talked with one of ticket guys on the train and luckily we would be able to get off at the next stop and still catch our connecting train to Manchester airport. All in all, we made to Manchester and were greeted by Cathy's cousin Rosalind.

We went back to Rosalind and Robert's home and chatted with them for a couple of hours over tea and cake then we all headed over to James and Roberta's apartment for dinner. On arriving we met Rocco, a very handsome French Lop bunny. He is very dignified and soft and has a varied reputation depending on who's doing the talking but we think he's great. We had a quick tour of the flat before heading downstairs to the basement to check out a space that is being renovated - it was also quite nice although the ceilings are much lower. James and Roberta have done a fantastic job fixing up their place and have renovated all but the kitchen. It is very stylish and comfy. There are also some great pictures on the walls of places they've been and family including a great shot of Auntie Mary and Uncle Johnny. We all chatted over wine until Lucy and Andy and Ella arrived. Lucy looks great and Ella is a very beautiful baby. We all sat down to a fabulous dinner that started off with tomatoes and mozzerella with basil and olive oil then on to salad and pasta with bacon and tomato cream sauce - delicious! Dessert was a lovely panna cotta with berries. Great conversation and great food and great people - what more can you ask for!

Leaving soon...

Just planning and packing....