October 13, 2016  |  UK Herbst/Autumn 2016

UK Holidays Autumn 2016

From 22 September to 10 October 2016, we’ve been on holiday in the UK. Here’s our itinerary: Prologue Thursday, 22 September 2016: Eleven hours to London Friday, 23 September 2016: Meeting friends and a preview of Sherlocked Saturday, 24 September 2016: Sherlocked 2016 day one Sunday, 25 September 2016: Sherlocked 2016 day two Monday, 26 September 2016: National Portrait Gallery and an afternoon tea Tuesday, [Weiterlesen]


 
 

11 October 2016: Epilogue

Our trips to the UK wouldn’t be complete without the ritual eating of the donuts we’ve brought home. In the morning, I take two boxes to the office – I’m still on holiday today – and in the afternoon, we visit Gabi’s mother and sister with another box. The new Krispy Kream flavours include Nutella, S’Mores, and maple syrup. Yummy! Shortly later, not much is [Weiterlesen]


 
 

10 October 2016: Back to Switzerland

We have to get up early and leave shortly after 8 o’clock. First, we head to the nearest Pret a Manger to get sandwiches and then to the service station for donuts. We arrive at the British channel tunnel terminal twenty minutes ahead of time and are even permitted to an earlier train. Border control is easy and quick and after a relaxed train ride, [Weiterlesen]


 
 

9 October 2016: Time traveling in the DeLorean

Birmingham is situated rather far away from the Eurotunnel through which we’ll drive home tomorrow. That’s why we are getting closer to Folkestone today to catch an early train tomorrow in hope of arriving back at home in Switzerland earlier in the evening than before. As it happens, I know someone in the area whom I wanted to visit for a while. We’re on the [Weiterlesen]


 
 

October 11, 2016  |  UK Herbst/Autumn 2016

8 October 2016: Star Trek in Birmingham

Today, Gabi and I visit ‘Destination Star Trek Europe’, Europe’s biggest Star Trek event to celebrate 50 years of the original television series. Many actors of all the Star Trek series and films are here and you can book photos and autographs with them. One of them has just arrived (in the photo, barely visible): now 84 years old William Shatner, better known as Captain [Weiterlesen]


 
 

October 9, 2016  |  UK Herbst/Autumn 2016

7 October 2016: Oxford

For her last day in England, Christine has asked for a trip to one of the old university cities. We decide on Oxford as it’s closer to us. Who knows, maybe we may visit her here in the future? It’s a pity that the psychological faculty is not situated in one of the old buildings as well but in a less charming newer one rather [Weiterlesen]


 
 

6 October 2016: London

Today, we’re driving into London again. Christine’s wishlist contains a view from the Shard and so that’s our first destination. We park nearby, get tickets and take the three lifts to the top. The view from Europe’s tallest building is really spectacular. Also during daylight – last time, we’ve been here when it was dark outside. The top of the Shard is open. It’s rather [Weiterlesen]


 
 

October 6, 2016  |  UK Herbst/Autumn 2016

5 October 2016: Beachy Head

We drive to the sea today. To Beachy Head, a land tongue at the south coast of England. The white chalk cliff rises up to 162 metres from the beach, the highest of all of Britain. The visitor centre is lovely – you really need to go in back and not just turn around after the first room. For example, they have buttons you can [Weiterlesen]


 
 

October 5, 2016  |  UK Herbst/Autumn 2016

4 October 2016: Stonehenge

We’re visited by Gabi’s sister Christine who will join us for some days. We pick her up at Heathrow Airport. Her flight from Basel has landed already but it takes some time to collect her suitcase and get through border control and customs – and Heathrow’s long walkways. Christine has asked to visit Stonehenge, a wish we happily fulfill. It’s really warm and sunny and [Weiterlesen]


 
 

October 4, 2016  |  UK Herbst/Autumn 2016

3 October 2016: Bluewater

We’re up for some serious shopping again today! At Bluewater, one of Britain’s largest shopping centres. We park the car near the Lego store and this is the first store we visit when we’re here. The new Lego sets are just adorable with all their attention to details: Big Ben clock tower with a bit of the House of Parliament, or the Disneyland castle. Also [Weiterlesen]