I need to go to so many places, John!
This was mostly my dad’s planning, as I wasn’t even a teenager yet, but I dragged along happily: Cawdor Castle, Urquhart Castle, Brodie… really cool architecture for a kid, and I loved the intricate woodwork of the furniture.
And Highland cattle (even got a small toy one for myself back then). And Culloden. And Loch Ness, of course, although I did not see any monster 
Ok, back on topic 
The interesting thing about the European “knife and fork at the same time” vs the American “cut with knife then set it down and eat with the fork” is that the US copied that from the affected eating style of the British gentry during the early Georgian Era. The Brits were so languid it was considered good form to take their time about eating.
It is possible that those dining habits in the US were later reinforced by French dining habits as late as the mid-19th Century.
So that zig-zag knife and fork action?
We got it from the Brits.
We are still paying the price for deferring to them on etiquette!! LOL!!
There is something about a castle, or a cathedral, that reminds me just how small my problems are.
It’s the night sky for me. Perspective is useful, for sure.
Here ya both go - fulfilling expectations. Bamburgh Castle (northeast England) and a night sky
A couple of decent restaurants in Bamburgh. A favourite part of the world for me.
wow, stunning!
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing 
Well spotted. 
Reminds me of the time when I visited an old Hindu temple, Candi Mendut (built 740AD) in East Java. The stone etchings on the temple wall reminded me of Louis Vuitton’s monogram design.
Good eye!
When it comes to design the phrase “there is nothing new under the sun” comes to mind.
It might not be completely accurate but it frequently seems that way.
I have not authorised anyone to use my photo in advertising for Greggs.
Apple, your negativity approaches that of ChowHound in its declining years. Not to its worst level, admittedly, but it is unwelcome, regardless.
I post about the simple positives of travel and dining.
You bring the opposite.
Please find another thread to blight.
I have only one more entry to make, so you won’t miss much.
Very much looking forward to it! I’ve enjoyed this entire thread. Your type of travel is one I doubt I’d ever do (various health issues) so I enjoy reading about your travels and walking and trying stuff out at wherever you are.
Looking forward as well but sorry your trip is ending, I have mightily enjoyed it! Please also post some return-to-Montana pics, always enjoy those too.
Apple is welcome to rain on any of my travel threads - I know we usually eat poorly and yet I still insist on boring everyone here to tears! 
On a more positive note, I had a couple days in London, arriving in Paddington Station, then over to my usual hangouts in Notting Hill Gate.
I seem to have eaten about two breakfasts a day, starting at Eggbreak, where I enjoyed Turkish Eggs, cheese toast and a side of sausage. And all were rather good, as was the service. The yogurt was spiced with a mild blend that I did not recognize, but it added to the dish.
I returned to Eggbreak for lunch and got their Fried Rice with Egg and Grilled Chicken, another winner of a dish.
Service there can be a trifle slow byt it is friendly and the food is good.
I almost forgot a rather good cod and mildly poor chips at Fish Lounge! Nice gent running the place.
I then hopped a bus to the Imperial War Museum where I spent a few enjoyable hours, surrounded by one excitable flock of teenagers after another. Good time regardless.
That Rolls Royce engine is a thing of beauty, my photo does not do it justice.
I returned to Notting Hill to my one rather poor meal of the stay, a Pastrami Toasty at Ole & Steen. Not sure how they stay busy, but the fact that I went there because it was convenient might hold a clue…
That was kind of disappointing so I stopped at Cherry On for some sort of tart that reversed the trendline on my food satisfaction chart…
Next morning I was off to Borough Market where I ordered Bubble and Squeak, Black Pudding and Sausage on a roll. It was a gargantuan mess! I loved it!!! I did cover it with a bit too much brown sauce but it was a good time. And wandering around the Market is always fun, as well.
Then it was off to Battersea to take a ride on Lift 109 to the top of one of the smoke stacks. View up as elevator starts rising:
When that glass elevator poked over the top of the stack, I was kind of taken back to the scene in Willy Wonka where the elevator burst right through the roof and kept on going. Did that actually happen in the movie or is that some sort of misbegotten dream of mine? That is the elevator at the top of the stack!
Then I had a forgettable ale in Control Room B. Amazing art deco setting, kind of bored staff.
Went around the corner to a chain place I had heard good things about, Roti King, for their Roti Canai. I ordered the Beef Rendang with Chicken Skewers and Teh Tarak (sp?) iced. Everything was delicious, and when the waiter saw I had destroyed the beef rendang he came back with another bowl, half full of more sauce. I have actually lost a little weight this trip due to all the walking. This visit reversed that trend! LOL!
Next morning I went back to a guilty pleasure, Fluffy Fluffy, for their super light pancake/souffle, this time the blueberry variant. I am not sure if it is a well turned out dish or not, there is so much sugar piled on those blueberries it is hard to tell. But I enjoyed it almost as much as the sweet fruit breakfasts I used to get in Chiang Mai.
Then I rode the Underground down to Gloucester Road where I bumped into a 7 foot long salamander hiding under a mushroom. Who says the Brits do not have a sense of humor? Or humour, as the case may be.
Walked through Kynance Mews twice, which did not take long. Beautiful stretch of historic homes that receive all too much attention.
Kew Gardens was next on my list of places I wanted to visit. Between Lift 109 and Kew, I was a bit disappointed in the prices of some of the places I visited, but maintaining that level of excellence can not be cheap. First came the azaleas, then the fox, then the camelias, then mother goose. I also climbed up 108 steps for the treetop tour.
Judging by the fact that i saw two pretty bold foxes, i think we know why mother goose is down to just 2 goslings…
Treetop walk was cool!
Counting steps has become a bit of a habit this trip, my two apartments in Notting Hill Gate had 69 steps up and and 70 steps up, respectively. Great views, for Notting Hill, though!
My final meal out in London was at the Original Maids of Honour near Kew. I am not a tea person, but between the sandwiches, the scones, the tea and the clotted cream, it was a danged good meal. I still like the tower arrangement.
And I spread the clotted cream first, then the preserves. Not sure who I am offending, but it was not meant to do so!
Last stop of my day? A Fuller’s ESB at the Tap on the Line as I waited for my train home. There was a fire somewhere so the service was delayed.
If I have to wait, having an ESB in front of me makes the wait a rather pleasant one.
I’ve spent several days there over the years, doing research. The cafe isnt great for lunch but there’s no much else in the immediate neighbourhood
The Maids of Honour are now running the cafe at the nearby National Archives. And it’s pretty good - and certainly much better than the crew that used to run it. Open to the general public as you’re not going in to the research areas (for which you need a readers card)
Thank you, Gretchen! I will do that!
I have to admit that I am missing my house, and Montana, a bit.
Digga, I have always valued your insight, from Italy to Denmark to Norway with a stop in Iceland if memory serves, you have traveled from one end of Europe to the other and found gems en route!
Though I never did make it to Lucca. 
I am not really all that knowledgeable about High Tea, but I enjoyed the Maids of Honour.
Though I do not think Darjeeling was the best choice for me. And then I adulterated it with cream…
I need a short course in tea drinking.
