Up at 6am
Thousands of people in the lobby.
Two Trafalgar tours going to exactly the same places....leaving at the same time.
I'm savvy though...I got on the right bus.
Several didn't .
Wouldn't have liked to chase my luggage to Leeds.
At least it would have been going to the same place.
Full bus.
Tour Director....Darren Thompson.
He has a totally different style to Calvin.....therefore, I keep thinking ....
'Calvin wouldn't have done that!'
Funny how you get so used to someone and their ways.
But Calvin was good.
Always kept the group together
Waited for the slow ones
First thing he did in any city was point out the toilets and the ATMs.

Darren left half the group behind on the walk into York....
( Not this 'Energiser Bunny' though...he's not losing me!)
Didn't know where the toilets were or the ATMs.

Bus driver is Brian.....again...strong silent type....( Must go with the job. )

First stop....Stratford on Avon
Anne Hathaway's Cottage.
Not a bad 'first' thatched cottage!

Yah!
Went to the RSC building....checked out the river and park...
Made sure I was booked in at The Arden for 18th October.
50 feet from the Theatre, Mum....directly across the road.

And basically walked round and just looked.

Had a lovely time just checking things out.
Tried not to do too much there because I am coming back.....(!!!!!)
Found a wonderful antique shop though and bought some charms.
Will attach a photo of the charms I've got so far.
Laid them all out on the bed tonight.
Actually... Not clear enough.
I have deleted it.

Then onto York.
Had a wonderful time here.
Our meeting place was outside York Minster so no hardship there.
Just an amazing building.
Could only go inside a little way as it is Sunday and services were about to start.
Absolutely stunning....gazing up and just being amazed at the stonework and the stained glass.
Some of the group managed to get in earlier than I did and were able to do the tour and see down below and the Roman Ruins it is built over.
I was really sorry I missed that....I was ambling down The Shambles.
Loved it.
Amazing street.
All the little shops and weird shaped buildings.
It was fun.

I wandered around the Minster into the parks...just beautiful.
And then I walked the wall for a time.
This was just fascinating.
Absolutely loved it.
Could see you and Mum walking the wall, Dad.
Was in the wrong section for the McDonalds though, Mum!
Just loved this ....would love to come back here and explore.

Ono the hotel in Leeds...beautiful!
Lovely rooms....
Buffet dinner.
Back to my room to write this.

Alright....
No Wifi in the bus .....so sending a blog will depend on whether I can get Internet at each hotel.
So don't worry if you don't see a new blog each day.

Supposed to be Wifi in my room tonight but not working...will head downstairs soon and see if I can get it to work in the Lobby.

I kept looking for people from my old group all day today.

Really strange to be with a new group of people.
Miss the old lot.
And only 8 days to get to know this lot.
Oh....loads of Americans.
Bruce and Janise, who were on the European tour are also on this one.
Aust...about 65....
Lovely people.
Bruce keeps nudging me and saying, 'Calvin wouldn't have done that'
Now we just have to look at each other and we get the giggles.

Some of the people on this walk around Stratford had to sit down half way...
They would not have handled Europe.
They would have been dropping like flies on the climb to The Acropolis !

I am sitting with Cindy.
She's 37, Canadian and a lab technician.
AND, she guarded my RSC posters with her life today.
We get on well.
She's lovely.

Having a great time.
Really enjoying this.
Feel like such a seasoned bus traveller compared to the people who have just started the tour.
Having lots of chats with people....and getting them to take my photo at places.

Love to everyone.
Safe flight, Megs!

I am now going downstairs to try to find out who won the GrandFinal.
(Calvin would have told us this morning!)

Xxxxxx

The Hawks. Won!
Yah!
Sorry Jack.
Just got your email, Meagan.
Hope you had a ball xxx