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.