England 2015

A leisurely start to the morning, with another visit to the Library breakfast room!

This time, no cheeseknife drama! 🙂

It’s time, already, though to check out of the London Marriott, as we’ll be heading out of the city later today.

So, we pack up, check out, and store our bags with the luggage porter.

We’re off to The Tower of London, via a great boat ride down the Thames.

The weather couldn’t be more perfect for this today, so we definitely planned the river cruise for the correct day!

After getting aboard at the Westminster Pier and grabbing prime seats on top, we start off down the Thames, past The Eye and slowly down the river.

Our guide gives great commentary throughout the trip, pointing out all the sights.

Finally, we arrive at Tower Bridge and The Tower of London!

Advice for fellow travelers, getting these tickets ahead of time is the *only* way to do it!

Avoiding the queues at the ticket purchase and heading straight through the checkpoint was a real pleasure!

As we waited in the (thankfully now dry and beautifully grassy) moat, we remarked on how interesting, if not disconcerting, it was to see such old historical structures (like The Tower) with such modern glass buildings literally next door.

Whatever… it’s time for our tour! And our Yeoman Warder (Beefeater!) does not disappoint! Andrew, our YW, is excellent and keeps the group moving and engaged!

At the end of the tour, Kathy and LeAnn get their photo with him, and I give him a Texas bottle-opener/keychain that he, too, really seems to appreciate!

Yay for sharing Texas around the world!

A stroll through the White Tower and all of its history (codpieces!)

Next up is the Crown Jewels exhibit. We haven’t been through this when the Queen’s current crown/sceptre were actually on display, so it was a treat to actually see those this time.

A few more sights (dungeon!), a bunch more photos, random shopping, a late lunch (hello Pret!), and we’re back on the boat for a nice ride up the Thames and a return to Westminster Pier!

It’s time to leave London for this visit. LeAnn remarks about how she doesn’t really want to leave yet – but Kathy and I know what’s in store and can’t *wait* to start the next phase of our adventure!

John has graciously arranged for Mick to pick us up at the Marriott County Hall for our transfer, and after loading up the bags, we’re off again! It was nice catching up with Mick again and hearing about his daughter’s wedding plans.

As we get out of London, up the M40, and hit that one spot where it’s a clear transition from the coastal/London landscape to the more rolling green hillside views, I instantly relax, knowing what’s to come.

We arrive at our Cotswold destination for the next 9 nights, Charingworth Manor.

Charingworth Manor is a 700 year old manor house that has been converted into the perfect Cotswolds hotel with amazing views over the rural Gloucestershire countryside.

We’ve seen the website and various photos online, but being there in person is breath-taking.

We love our amazing rooms and views – and after a quick unpacking, walk about the property “oohing” and “aahing” like the tourists we are!

Finally – we get to see John and Marianne! They meet us for pre-dinner drinks, hugs, and laughter before we step into the Charingworth dining room.

A fantastic multi-course dinner is served by our waiter, Paolo, who becomes a close friend throughout our visit!

Tons of stories, jokes, and calories are had throughout the evening, with tea/coffee/truffles to end the meal in the Charingworth parlour.

We have arrived.