Details, details, details. 55-days until takeoff. The particulars of 30-days on the road are starting to accumulate, and accumulate, and accumulate, and…

Itinerary News

I added Wiltshire to my plans. I’m eager to explore the county. I copied the following from the Visit Wiltshire website, “History and Heritage in Wiltshire is not just ancient. Here you can wander through time. The Romans, Normans and Saxons have all left their mark.” I’ll be looking for them. 🙂

I’m hoping to try some traditional foods such as Wiltshire cured pork, Wiltshire Loaf, Wiltshire Lardy Cake, or Urchfont Mustard. I’m seeing a Wiltshire cured pork sandwich with  Urchfont Mustard.

From Wiltshire, I’m headed to the National Hereford Show, at Tenbury Wells Showground, Herefordshire.

To my American readers, yes, it is the birthplace of the Hereford breed so prevalent in the US and around the world.

My favorite irony ~ Worcestershire is the county right next door to Herefordshire, and yes, it is the birthplace of the sauce by the same name. I’ll be investigating.

I’m in Herefordshire for four nights. I’m headed to the county fair, visiting a farm, going to the cider museum, and Goodrich Castle. I’ll wander a bit in Brockhampton and laze about the terrace above the moat at Castle House Hotel.

From London, to Wiltshire, to Herefordshire, to Shropshire, to Bath, to Cornwall, to Kent, and back to London.
A grand tour indeed.

Let’s Get Practical

I took care of some practical things this month.

Travel Insurance

First was travel insurance. You know the type that covers lost bags, delays, emergencies, rental cars, etc.

Such a long trip outside the reaches of Medicare, travel insurance seemed prudent for a woman of my advanced years.

I shopped around a good bit, checking out websites and comparing rates. I finally settled on Allianz. I found a policy that is perfect for my traveling profession. I’m covered for a year, including rental car insurance. The rate was excellent. If you’re thinking about travel insurance, give them a look. You can get a quote online in seconds for any length of trip to any destination.

Currency Exchange

Another practical matter I worked out is the currency exchange. Arriving in a foreign country with some local cash makes life a little easier. Airport and city machines can be brutal on fees and the exchange rate. I found one that makes it easier and cheaper.

Travelex has offices and machines in my departure airport, San Francisco International, and around the world. I order and pay for my currency online a few days before departure. The day of departure, I pick it up at SFO. When I return, I can exchange any British pounds I have for greenbacks. You get very favorable exchange rates by ordering in advance and picking up at the airport.

Rental Car

I reserved my rental car, a Vauxhall Corsa (?), with 4-seats and two doors. The company is Hertz, but I used Rentalcars.com for my reservation They’re like a clearing house and look at all rental car companies for the best rates for you. All-in, my car is costing me $16 a day plus fuel. That’s everything, unlimited mileage, all the hidden fees and taxes included. What a deal.

The best part was the live customer service I received on the phone. I had to call to clarify some information. The CSR was excellent. You might try them the next time you need a rental car. They also guarantee the lowest price through the end of your rental period.

CC & ID

I’m working on the credit and debit cards now. Making sure they will work in the UK, have a chip, and a PIN number I know.

My documents are in line. I renewed my passport and made sure I used the worst photo taken of me in history. I got a new international driver’s license with the same lousy picture.

I scanned all my documents and credit cards. I’ll carry paper and digital copies and leave digital and paper copies at home. I’ve always done this, but never needed it.

Till Next Month

Things are in good shape, I’m ready to go. Now if August 1st would just get here, and I wasn’t worrying about my travel wardrobe.

Thanks for stopping by, MaryGo

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I suggest these folks to help you plan
your trip to England

~ Visit Herefordshire – Shropshire Hills Tourism – Visit Bath –
Visit Cornwall – Visit Kent – Visit Wiltshire – Visit Britain ~

Some of my England ESP
(eat, sleep, play)

~LONDON~ British Airways – ExecuCar – St Ermin’s Hotel – Allianz Travel Insurance – Rentalcars.com ~WILTSHIRE~ ~HEREFORDSHIRE~Herefordshire County Fair – Castle House Hotel – Wythall Estate ~SHROPSHIRE HILLS~ Fishmore Hall – Wheely Wonderful Cycling – Ludlow Castle & Church – Ludlow Food – Ludlow Farmers Market – Ludlow Brewery – Sun Valley Canoe – Severn Valley Steam Railway – Bank House B&B – Three Tuns Brewery – Railway Museum – The House on Crutches – Bishops Castle Town Tour – Kerry Vale Vineyard – Gliding – Exmoor Pony Photography – Church Stretton Golf Club – Church Stratton Arts Festival – Walk the Shropshire Way – The Bog ~BATH~ Around & About Bath Tour ~CORNWALL~ Tregirls Beach – Trevibban Mill – St Enodoc Hotel – St Moritz Hotel – Eden Project – Cornwall Estate and Spa – Bedruthan Steps – Watergate Bay – Lusty Glaze – Celtic & Company – Fistral Beach Hotel – Tregothnan – St Ives Tour – The Pedn Olva – St Michaels Mount – Jubilee Pool – Hotel Penzance – Trebah Gardens – The Working Boat Inn – Merchants Manor – The Greenbank Hotel ~KENT~ Hever Castle – Hever Golf Club – Kent Vineyards – Canterbury Tour – Oysters in Whitstable ~LONDON~ The Arch – Eat London East End Food Tour – London Pass – Crowne Plaza London – Albert Embankment – St Ermin’s Hotel – ExecuCar – British Airways~