Post Script- Travel tips and detailed maps

Here is a map of all the places we stayed overnight:

1. Oxford, Keble College, 2 nights
2. Cambridge, Tyndale House, 1 night
3. York, Ardmore B&B, 2 nights
4. Durham, Castle View B&B. 1 night
5. Edinburgh, Kenvie House B&B, 1 night
6. Keswick, Abacourt House B&B, 2 nights
7. Conwy, Old Corner House B&B, 2nights
8. Chipping Campden, The Chance B&B, 2 nights
9. Bath, The Apple Tree B&B, 2 nights
10. London, The Highbury Centre, 3 nights

Our drive through Great Britain when we had the car (Google Maps couldn't quite make the route)-

Detailed maps of each day and places we visited:

Oxford, Day 1 & 2

Cambridge, Day 3

Ely, York, Day 4 & 5

Scarborough, Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby, Durham, Day 6

Bamburgh, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Edinburgh, Day 7 & 8

Keswick and Lake District, Day 8 & 9

Conwy and North Wales, Day 10 & 11

Coventry, Kenilworth, Warwick, Chipping Campden and Cotswolds, Day 12 & 13

Blenheim, Broadway Tower Day 13

Bath, Stonehenge, Lacock Day 14 & 15

London, Day 16-18

Things we're glad we did:

1. Bought SIM cards from a local mobile service. We purchased SIM cards for our GSM Nexus 4 cell phones when we arrived from 3 (http://www.three.co.uk/) for only 15 pounds each, which allowed us to have a UK phone number to call anywhere in the UK, text (only with each other) and data for Google maps, Facebook, Video Hangouts with boys back home, and tethering off my phone when we didn't have wii-fii. Very helpful to not have to worry about data charges and use Google Maps when we were lost in London.
2. Used Google Maps as our primary GPS. We had a strong signal throughout most of the UK when we were driving and except for a few tricky round-abouts, we were sent in the right direction.
3. Speaking of wii-fii, we brought my silly $250.00 Samsung Chromebook and it was great for getting online and updating the blog each night.
4. Brought some nylon cord for a clothesline. Most of our clothes were quick dry overnight.
5. Rented a car. Driving was stressful at times, but we saw parts of the country on our own time, especially the East coast, North Wales, Lake District and Cotswolds, that would not have been convenient by train or bus.
6. Never drove more than three hours a day. A typical pattern was to check out and get on the road around 10 and with some stops along the way, we were usually at our next lodging by 5 p.m., giving us time to drop off bags and hit the area for the evening.
7. Used the Services along the motorways. Unlike the US freeway system where you see ugly billboards pointing you to the next gas station, restaurant or outlet mall, the UK has a very un-assuming sign that says "Services in x_miles".  You often can't see if Services means gas, food or both until you get of the main motorway.

Things we wish we would have done:

1. Researched how our debit/credit cards would work in Great Britain.  We could easily get cash with our debit card at any "cashpoint" or ATM, knowing there was a small charge for the service, but we had some issues when we tried to buy some tickets online for the train and a local bus tour. We even tried to use the very handy Oyster Card system for The Tube (Underground) that allowed you to "top up" (add money) to your balance online instead of using a machine at the station. Our American debit card was "denied" for any online purchases for some reason.
2. Bought a fan when we arrived. A small fan would have done two things: 1) provided some "white noise" for sleeping at night and 2) provided some relief for the heat in London. By the time we needed a fan, we couldn't find one and didn't want to take away from vacation time to search for one.
3. Packed less stuff. All of it fit in our carry on luggage, but we both could have had one less outfit, pair of shoes and electrical gizmo. 
4. Figured out how to get a comfortable travel pillow for the 9 hour plane ride. We had the typical "C" shaped neck pillow but it wasn't comfortable. Next time we'll bring some over-sized teddy bear we can hug.

All in all, we are grateful for a great trip! And I'm glad my wife is a travel genius. She planned the entire trip.

Day 19- We're On Our Way Home!

Got to Heathrow with really only the slightest issue. Because of the heat, we called a taxi (which was a big-ol' unmarked Mercedes) for the few miles to the Finsbury Station which is a direct train to Heathrow Terminal 5. That was worth it. However, we were directed to a platform but not warned that another train that splits off to a different area might come first. Of course we got on it, but quickly realized our error and popped off, then right back on the correct train! Mainly the Tube is easy, but you do never know when you'll be kicked off because of some emergency or issue. So you need to be adept at all forms of public transportation, that's for sure.

A few other things I don't want to forget about this trip...
1. I really noticed and was somewhat challenged by my loss of the ability to read small print.Thank God I brought my readers-- because reading info (either GPS or printed maps) was truly a chore. I'm just steps away from a chain around my neck with hanging glasses at the ready and already have that school ma'rm thing down where I look above my glasses to see far away. Conversely, my hips and the sun were not such a challenge. I did stay quite covered up and slathered in sun screen... but I can only remember two reactions this whole trip-- both on my hand (one in Oxford, one yesterday during our final walk to the Tube for yesterday's museum fest.) Grateful!
2. Ken likes Toffee Crisp candy bars.
3. British people are quite polite, but not very specific when giving directions.
4. I over-packed (but what to do when you don't know if it will be hot or cold?)
5. In for a penny, in for a pound.
6. Don't try to buy things in case you might need it, or more... you probably won't. (The apple we dragged around, the crackers, things of cheese we chucked, the cooler we bought that never kept anything cool.)
7. "Naff" is British slang for cheesy, or corny. ("You don't want to see Rock of Ages; it's quite naff.") First choice for me was Lion King, but it's not on Monday nights.
8. If someone is animated, they are "Quite switched on."
9.

10. French fries (Chips) seem to be a part of every meal and I can't wait for a big, fresh green salad ("Salad Cream" is nasty.)

So we head home, quite grateful for a wonderful trip and safe travels over-all. We finish with one final time-lapse video from our long trip on The Tube to the airport; I think it speaks for itself:

Day 18- The End...Let it Be

And so it was! In summary, today was 3 art galleries, 2 churches, 1 tourist trap market, a great "last supper" at a pub on the West End, and a FAB-4 show!
No TV here to watch news to hear the British newscasters complain about the heat... but read about some soldiers dying in training, and do wonder how many older folks suffered to the end! It's a scorcher! And once again, we are in our deathly still and stifling room for the last night... but we won't let it cast a shadow on our fabulous final day.

We totally enjoyed the National Gallery. Wish I could have taken pix of the awesome pieces we so enjoyed. We bought postcards of some of the most amazing, including my fave Degas, and some of these: Botticelli, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Holdbein, Da Vinci, Rubens, Van Dyck, The Monets and Manet, Renoir, Seurat, Van Gogh, Cezanne! (I just rattled those off by memory) Such awesomeness! (And thanks RS guidebook for the highlights tour!)
More was to be enjoyed at the lesser known Courtauld Gallery. RS said it would be free on Monday until 2 pm (not true anymore)-- but 3 pound Monday wasn't so bad. We're glad we did it because they allowed photos! (How strange!) Here are a few between my camera and Ken's.

Next was the interesting but too touristy Covent Garden-- a shopping market since Medieval times... with every modern store imaginable (like Build-a-Bear, Disney Store, and an Apple Store). We had a soda and some bread just to get us to the next stop and then we beat it out of there. Wanted to catch St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church which is lovely. Each church is so unique. We had a good rest stop here and enjoyed the shop.

We also caught "The Actor's Church" which was another St. Paul's. Just an interesting combination of theater and church going on there. I guess they've found their target ministry.

We enjoyed the National Portrait Gallery more than we thought we would. The modern portraits, including Duchess of Cambridge Kate, and everyone from Philip Glass to young Sir Paul McCartney-- all very cool. As you go up the floors, you go later back in history to Great Britain figures-- fabulous. I might have accidentally snapped this photo of the Bronte Sisters. I didn't snap of photo of the Wesley portrait or Bill Shakespeare-- drat! GREAT to see them all.

So those were the 3 galleries-- crazy amount of walking! What I didn't mention here yet is the first thing we did when we got off the tube in the West End was to see a discount or last-min theater ticket booth. That's where we purchased our LET IT BE tix. SO glad we did! It was a great concert through the ages of Beatles music. There was really only one song we didn't know pretty much all of the words!

Before the concert we ate our last London dinner at a pub (recommended by St. Steves of the Lutheran Weed Smokers) directly across the street from St. Martin's, called Chandos. We ate upstairs on comfy sofas in what was called the Opera Room. I had one last fish and chips and Ken had the bangers and mash. The fish and chips always comes with peas by the way-- interesting. Sitting next to us was a Londoner hipster and a visiting American young man. Somehow (ok, it was me) we started chatting and found out the London guy is a magician. Another group of Americans got involved and he did the most amazing card tricks... dinner and a show before a show!

I'm not feeling clever enough to type a final conclusion, so I'll save that for our long day of travel (and waiting) for tomorrow... but allow us to leave you with this very fitting song neither Ken nor I realized was a Beatles tune-- we feel so lame! We heard it in pub (a re-recording by a female and male) and were like, "Oh isn't this a neat song!" DUH-- then it came up at this show... it will be special to us now! :) Here is a live version of the duet we heard first in Bath:

Day 17- Coming Full Circle, and Then Some

What a journey we've just had to get home. One of the things that we have enjoyed so much here in the UK is how polite everyone is-- well, almost everyone. They properly apologize if the train is going to be 6 minutes late, or if you have to wait a moment while they gather info when you've called to ask a question, and people generally say, "Sorry," or "Excuse me" on the crowded streets. Giving directions is another story all together...
But let us start at the very beginning (a very good place to start). Breakfast was kind of funny in that there is an Ethiopian church staying here at this "conference center"-- lots of teens. They clean out that humble but nutritious buffet before you can walk over to get a spoonful of runny eggs! But we had plenty to eat and met a lovely Canadian couple (he runs a mission organization to Africa) who have stayed at the Highburry since the 70's (David and Lizzy, I believe). He had funny stories about how the place once was. Anyway, they were lovely to chat with and gave us some helpful info.
Our goal was to actually catch the 11 service at the Chapel in the London Tower (that's where the crown jewels are)-- but we were just a few minutes late. (RIck Steves said it was a service with lovely choral music which we did hear from a window!) Instead, we just bought our tickets and did the Tower with the other millions of sweaty tourists. The crown jewels were cool to see (we hit that first as RIck suggested) and made our way to see the artifacts: armor, weaponry, prisons and dungeons... we probably missed some stuff but we needed to get out of the heat. What's right outside the Tower? A Subway and Starbucks. Worked for us! that was lunch.

We snapped some shots of the Tower Bridge (we'd driven over it last night) and beat it to St. Paul's. We were glad we arrived an hour plus early-- we could just sit there and listen to the organist practice. But oh my golly what a grand cathedral! It is magnificent! We were invited to be seated about 20 min before the 3:15 service and got a front row seat. We looked up and were blown away by the dome. And the paintings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Isaiah, Jeremiah... what other OT dudes? I can't recall... but we just soaked it all up and the choir was so fantastic. Very complex and difficult choral pieces with the most gorgeous AMENs, etc... transcendent! We were both very impressed with the vicar/chaplain lady's message. She managed to tie in the NT and OT reading, and even the recognition of the choristers who were graduating out. We caught the LAST service with the choir before the return in the fall! What a privilege and honor to be there! The clergy were at the door as we left (no sight-seeing aloud when you come for services) and I invited the chaplain lady to Seattle, and she said, "Oh I would love to come!"

As we floated out of there (hit by the heat and brought right back down to below middle earth), we did a little looking around for a fan-- yeah right. Us and a few million other Londoners. Anyway, we thought we'd remember who we really are and visited the Black Friar's pub-- one of Rick Steve's recommended most authentic establishments. This allowed us to plan our route to Westminster Abbey. Once again, early arrival was a good thing because we caught most of an organ recital and were able to sit right up front for the 6:30 service there at the Abbey. (Like St. Paul's, no pix allowed.) This is also a very beautiful church but quite different from St. Paul's. It's quite smaller than we imagined-- but gorgeous in it's unique way-- I'm architecture stupid, but I think it's more gothic? Anyway, it's where the royals are crowned and we got to see the very chair that's been used since Edward the 1st or something (it's all blurring...) but they show a photo of today's Queen Elizabeth's coronation in that very chair-- so very cool to see.

At first, upon hearing there was no choir, we were disappointed. But it turned out to be a lovely spoken Evensong service and to our surprise and great interest, it was to honor (God first), but also John Keble, minister of the early 1800's- prolific hymn and poem writer and scholar, and also the namesake of the college we stayed at in Oxford. How cool to come full circle and sing this great minister's hymns and even hear a great sermon about him (I took notes)-- it was so beautifully done, including his emphasis on what it means to be holy and a little about the "Oxford Movement." I had a nice chat with the vicar after the service and told him it sounded quite Wesleyan (aren't you proud, Mark Abbott!) and he said, "You are exactly right-- they are practically theological cousins..." something like that. Anyway, he was gracious and fabulous and I only felt like a numbskull when I said, "So where is the Methodist Central Hall?" And he pointed directly across the street and there was this massive, domed building! It was closed of course (it was after 7pm by now)-- but we got to see it anyway!

Because we're gluttons for punishment, we decided to walk to Buckingham Palace from there- really not that far. But we had to at least see it-- not going to go watch the changing of the guard or anything. But I'm so glad we got to see the palace grounds. The guards were there and the flag is up, so the Queen is IN THE HOUSE! Cool.

The rest of the evening was a little stressful after having such lovely music and worship experiences... we had to get off our train several stops early (we had decided we'd get dinner close to our room)-- and this was no fun. We knew we'd do better with food in our bellies, so we just went to the first place we saw called "The Prince of Wales and His Feathers." (yup-- sounds inviting, huh?) Actually, it was a delicious, American-tasting hamburger and fries and totally hit the spot. Good thing we were nourished for the trial to come! As I said, we had to get off the tube early because, as announced, "Someone is under the train at King's Cross/St. Pancras Station. We're sorry." Yeah! We're ALL sorry! Somebody just couldn't take the heat! Anyway, it was a trick to find a bus back-- one driver gave us bum info, another bus terminated on us and we weren't the only ones just trying to get our sweaty bods home. But we did, and I already feel like I need yet another shower, it's so stinking hot... and tomorrow's projection is 90'. Awesome. But it's our last day and we'll make the best of it. Got some museums on the docket and maybe even a show... we'll see!

~from a sermon by John Keble

True and full repentance is a greater work than some of us may have imagined. It is two great works in one: the first is hating the evil 'casting away all our transgressions', and the other is loving the good, 'making us a new heart and a new spirit'. The same work, which in the psalm the penitent David prays God to accomplish for him, God himself, here in the prophet, calls upon the penitent to accomplish for himself. That is, conversion and amendment is in some mysterious way both God's work and our work; and being God's work, it is compared to creation; it is like making a world out of nothing, light out of darkness, order out of confusion.
What must we do, that we may work this great work of God? Turn your souls and your bodies away from sins, towards Jesus Christ crucified for you, with a sincere desire to love and please him; and as often as you overcome yourself in any way for his sake, he will be ready with his gracious help; until at the last the new heart and the new spirit, which he gave you first in baptism, is thoroughly awakened and enlivened within you. Come to him thus, and you shall prove in your own person the mercy which he offers to all: 'He will in no wise cast you out.'
~John Keble (1792-1866)

And some of our favorite Keble verses we sang at Westminster today:

The trivial round, the common task,
would furnish all we ought to ask,
room to deny ourselves, a road
to bring us daily nearer God.

When the soft dews of kindly sleep
my wearied eyelids gently sleep,
be my last thought, how sweet to rest
for ever on my Saviour's breast