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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

We say hello to Peter and Jack before driving to Portsmouth with Caroline. We’ve been here before (in 2013 and 2014). We park at Gunwharf Quays designer outlet with lots of stores and restaraunts. We take a look at the beach first as it’s very exciting for Swiss who live in a land-locked country. Caroline knows: There are always some Pokémon to catch around here. [Weiterlesen]

It rains rather heavily. But it’s the first time since we arrived in Britain and we’ve been more than lucky with the weather so far. We had thought about visiting the London Aquarium but with the rain, a lot of people will be there as well. And it feels a bit weird to go and watch more water in the tanks while so much water [Weiterlesen]