Day 1 - Traveling Across the Pond

We took off a little late on a Virgin Atlantic flight. We were lucky to have seats in an exit row with plenty of leg room. Each seat had a “goody bag” with a blanket, pillow, ear plugs, socks (!), toothbrush and toothpaste and an eye mask. We had already eaten dinner in the airport but that didn't stop us from having a second dinner on the plane. I made sure to get some red wine to help me sleep. I did nod off a bit, but not a good sleep. We arrived in London and took the bus to get our rental car where they wanted to charge us more and give us less. We finally got the car and headed to Hampton Court Palace.

at Heathrow

This was at the car rental place.  Luckily it was wrong for Friday, so far.

  

At Hampton Court Palace, we wandered around the beautiful buildings, courtyards and gardens. Before we left we went to the maze where I found the center but had trouble getting out! Then I got ice cream.

Base Court at Hampton Court Palace

In front of the Palace

In Henry VIII's apartment (above and next three pictures)

I kept humming "I am Enerey the 8th I am"

Ceiling in one of the rooms

Fountain Court

The Gardens at Hampton Court Palace

This plaque is at the center of the Maze.  I took a picture to prove I found it.  It was really hard to find your way through this maze!

Hampton Court Palace Gardens

Salted caramel ice cream before we left Hampton Court Palace

Next we headed to Oxford where we had a wonderful lunch at the Trout Inn, right on the water.

At the Trout Inn Restaurant (above and below)

After lunch we found the cottage we are renting for two nights.  It's a teeny place - two bedrooms and a little space between them.  But it's pretty and cozy and not too expensive.  And there are two black dogs (maybe labs), very friendly, who live in the main house.

Our cottage, right next to the main house

The front door of our cottage

View of our cottage from the back yard

The garden behind our cottage

The two sweet dogs who live in the main house

After bringing our stuff in, we both showered and changed our clothes and felt much better.  Then we headed out to the nearby town of Abingdon.  Here we saw the medieval churches and gardens.  Finally we drove to the MG Club, which is in Abingdon.  David was a former owner of two MGs (don't ask).  It was closed so we may go back tomorrow.

Medieval church in Abingdon

St. Helen's Church in Abingdon

In cemetery outside St. Helen's church

Gardens in Abingdon (above and below)

Statue of Queen Victoria in the gardens at Abingdon

After a brief nap, we went to a great restaurant for dinner called The Fishes.  We shared a whole bunch of appetizers and it was delicious!  The waitress asked if we wanted dessert and I said I was too stuffed.  She said, "I feel like that's a lie", and she was right!