Today we visit the Cadbury chocolate factory in Birmingham! We are still a bit early for our booked entrance time. So we have lunch in the caf̩ first: fish and chips with mushy peas and chips with curry sauce Рwe go full English! Then our tour starts, and it is so completely different than we had imagined (exactly: no Umpalumpas, which is a pity). [Weiterlesen]

We’re having a William Shakespeare day out today! We set off on foot to the old town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. First we visit the house where his parents lived and where he was actually born. In the adjacent museum we learn a lot about his family and the time in which he grew up. And we see excerpts from performances of [Weiterlesen]

Today we start a second attempt to drive to Piccadilly Circus and are more successful – although we had to earn the last metres with patience. First, we head to Fortnum & Mason, probably the oldest department store in London, which was founded over 300 years ago. As always, Gabi has a detailed shopping list and is very focused. In the end, a few sweet [Weiterlesen]

Today the traffic jams in the whole city centre. Gabi manages to guide us to Covent Garden (instead of the more distant Piccadilly Circus we had planned). So we’ll stay in this area today. On our way to the science fiction store Forbidden Planet we discover a new shop with collectors items from film and television. Harry Potter’s flying brooms are great – and really [Weiterlesen]

Today we drive to Oxford Street to do some shopping. We start at Selfridges department store, where we could easily spend a whole day. Their offer is getting more attractive every year! The Food Hall in particular is now more inviting than ever with takeaway food and a wonderful selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. In the books department in the basement, I look through an [Weiterlesen]

It rains today. An ideal day for the museum. And that’s exactly what we intend to do. We visit the Victoria & Albert Museum with their large collection of old and new things and design objects from all over the world. For example a wooden back wall of a Selfridges lift, a designer lamp from Denmark or snapchat glasses for social media. And many artistically [Weiterlesen]

It’s great to be back in London! Our hotel is situated opposite the British Library and near St Pancras station (the beautiful building at the back of the photo). I get my favourite breakfast from the Pret, a ham and cheese croissant. Freshly strengthened we drive to the Spitalfield Market. In the modernly converted old market building, there are countless small stands where artists and [Weiterlesen]

Shortly after 10am, everything is stowed in the car and we drive off. Once again we are on our way to England! We’re looking forward to a few hopefully quiet and relaxing days. We fill up on petrol again shortly after Bern and buy breakfast. How can it be that all the croissants at the service station are sold out already? Unbelievable. One hour later [Weiterlesen]

From 27 April to 9 May 2018, we’ve been on holiday in the UK. Friday, 27 April 2018: England, here we come! Saturday 28 April 2018: Strolling around Bluewater Sunday 29 April 2018: Costco and Basingstoke Monday 30 April 2018: A cupcake in Guildford Tuesday 1 May 2018: Driving to Bristol Wednesday 2 May 2018: Visiting the Morgan factory Thursday 3 May 2018: Cotswolds and [Weiterlesen]

As always upon returning from the UK, we take a box of donuts home and share them with Gabi’s mother and sister.