Places of Interest

Has anyone any experiences of Portsmouth?

Just a little update. I had a nice trip out to Liverpool. I waited until my test/vaccine exemption card arrived before I went.  It was a glorious day out and I really enjoyed it. I'm thinking about returning to London for me next outing. I have been before, a while ago, but it was on route to somewhere else. I think it would be nice to just spend some time soaking up the atmosphere and mingling with natives.  

I've also got my eye on Dorset thanks to Kiki and Exist's descriptions. I don't drive, so I'm reluctant to go anywhere too isolated for fear of getting stuck!

I have been to Iceland twice, once in the winter and in the late summer. By far my favourite was the winter trip, because I enjoyed the long nights, the ease at which we saw the aurora borealis, and the snow. Oh how I love the snow. But going in winter does mean very little light (proper light last something like 4 hours a day) and difficulty getting to many of the tourist spots. Definitely wouldn't advice driving around the country solo. We got stuck in the snow a few times- we pushed it out ourselves once or twice, and were helped by passing strangers (everyone is very helpful there) sometimes too. If you do want to keep the sunshine in your trip, just remember that at summer you might have too much- we could only sleep with the very dark blinds firmly down. But you can see more of the country that way.

To be honest I'd happily go just to sit in a cabin out in the snowy countryside, to look up at the stars, with occasional visits to Reykjavik and the blue lagoon.

Coffee in the morning (and last thing at night), tea throughout the day. 

Iceland, yes, indeed, B. For all the reasons you've mentioned, I have contemplated going to Iceland a few times over the past few years with family, but then we've always opted for some other place with guaranteed sunshine. When things get back to normal, it's on my list of places in the EU to visit. 

I know nothing about the Landmark Trust! Fascinating. This is something I'm going to enjoy finding out about. Thank you very much for this info. New ideas are the name of the game! I too get a thrill at the thought of staying in an old castle or WW2 bunker. I love live theatre and so if there is some theatrical enactment involved, it's right up my street. 

☕Tassimo ☕ said:

large mug of very milky tea and a pile of coconut biscuits by my laptop

I like the way you plan. My own world runs on tea.

So, I don't actually have much in the way of good suggestions for what you're looking for, but I have two things that might lead to ideas who knows.

First off; Iceland! I know, it's a whole other country, but it is hands down my most favourite place to visit. I think some of it is to do with the calm and the quiet the place exudes, while being simultaneously friendly without being in your face about it. It's beautiful, and in the winter I spent so many nights watching the aurora borealis. I know that right now you won't be travelling internationally, but it's worth considering in the future. In the meantime though, perhaps somewhere in Scotland where the aurora borealis can occasionally be seen would provide a similar experience.

Second suggestion is the Landmark Trust. Now, I have yet to actually do one of these, but they are forever on my to-do list. You can sometimes find decent prices buying off-season and far enough in advance, and it also varies wildly with the different sites. The down side is, quite often you can't book anything decent at short notice and so there'll be a long wait. But I love the idea of going to stay in an old castle, or a WW2 bunker and such.

Thanks, O. I'm starting to get cabin fever, but I don't want to be made to get swabbed and tested just to get on a plane, so there have got to be lots of unusual places in the UK to discover until everyone forgets about coronavirus.

Love the idea I’ve always wanted to explore the UK I hope you get to do it

There's the issue with the Protocol, and a border imposed on the Irish Sea. But that's all Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance making silk purses out of sows' ears. Most people get along, and transcend political division.

Belfast was a Tourist Mecca, until Covid hit. However, there was a Party Bike for those on tour - mostly Stag/Hen dos - which I thought were naff. Even back in 2018/19, I thought that Belfast was like Dawn of the Dead. Especially when the Christmas Market is running.

There's the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra - North Down - and the Ulster American Folk Park - between Omagh and Newtonstewart in Tyrone. However you need to book tickets online with EventBrite.

Not sure about the Ferries. But I would guess that it's the same rhitmetik as Airport Security; only on a smaller scale.

I've been to Anglesey a few times already, Desmond. It's a quaint little place. I know Manchester like the back of my hand having worked extensively around Greater Manchester, Tameside and Cheshire (and growing up only twenty miles form the city centre). 

I don't drink alcohol so probably not much of interest for me in a distillery other than pure curiosity.

Now, Cumbria is a place I know a little having been many times to the Lakes.

Curiously, I've never considered Northern Ireland as a place to visit. I think it's because I'm old enough to remember all the sectarian violence in the 70's and 80's. I know things have changed now, so maybe it's time to give NI another look. Where are the best places/attractions to visit? I'd still probably feel too self conscious with my English accent and would be totally paranoid about standing out. 

Do we have to get swabbed on order to cross the channel and enter NI form the mainland?

Thanks, Desmond.

I actually have a free pass!

As long as Labour don't get in, I'll be grand.

I didn't visit much of Britain, but the Coach Journeys - via the Belfast to Cairnryan Ferry - stopped at Tebay Restaurant at the M6 in Cumbria. Food to die for. (and Northern Ireland has good places to eat itself)

The Train Station at Angylsea with the huge name is great. Was there en route to a school trip to France in 1994, then again in 2014.

Glen Grant Distilery at Rothes was a good experience; however the Whisky Trail bus route - via Elgin - doesn't operate on Sundays. I was there on a Sunday - Burns' Day 2015. I had to wait almost two hours for a taxi to Elgin train station, and even longer for a train to Aberdeen. I also threw up at the platform. Then was sick again in the train and left the toilet unusable. (I should have brought my coat with me)

Manchester is the one place I have affinity for, especially as my Cousin - who now teaches in Dubai - lived over ten years at Radcliffe; just before Bury. I was at the National Football Museum; bit disappointing but good to know Football History.

Buy an unlimited bus or rail ticket, daily, weekly, monthly or whatever.

Plan in advance but also be spontaneous, if a place looks interesting get out and explore