B
badman gee
Guest
I opened a conversation with you Frankie. Envelope in top right corner
FRANKIE'S PICS OF THE TOUR
- Thread starter FRANKIE
- Start date
As we were almost past the lake, Hugh catches sight of this large bush that was lit up with sunlight. It was almost as if someone put a spotlight on it. It gave a beautiful reflection on the water. We got several pics of it:
A valley beyond the car:
A valley beyond the car:
Are we taken a short cut?
A memorial to a famous Welsh scholar. (Before Hugh told me this, I thought it was the place they buried the last guy Hugh drove up here)
Hugh gave me a doughnut for breakfast:
A memorial to a famous Welsh scholar. (Before Hugh told me this, I thought it was the place they buried the last guy Hugh drove up here)
Hugh gave me a doughnut for breakfast:
Windsor Castle. The line was EXTREMELY LONG to get in so we skipped it.
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Gary was a great hosr and showed me a good time. I was sorry to leave him.
After Windsor Castle, I went to Nick's Castle. I used the gps (sat nav) and passed his house as I didn't know which one it was. When the gps said:'you have arrived", I knew I was passing his house but as it told me this, I was passing several. I made an immediate RIGHT turn past his block and called him telling him I just went past his house. He told me to turn around and drive back up to his street and make a left, so as to go back to his house. He would be out front waving to me. As it turned out, he almost waved goodbye. As I made the left turn to go past his house, I saw him waving out in front of his house and felt very pleased with myself that I had made it in one piece. This feeling was short lived as I looked away from Nick to give my attention to what was in front of me and suddenly realized when I made the left turn, I had turned onto the right (on coming) lane instead of the left lane. There was a white SUV about 100 feet in front of me coming towards me and I sharply turned the car into the left lane as it just passed and missed me I must have scared the hell out of someone. Needless to say, Nick looked a bit shocked. I think he thought that I was initially joking with him. I had wanted to take he and his family out to dinner but he made other plans and had invited other members of the forum over for a BBQ.
After Windsor Castle, I went to Nick's Castle. I used the gps (sat nav) and passed his house as I didn't know which one it was. When the gps said:'you have arrived", I knew I was passing his house but as it told me this, I was passing several. I made an immediate RIGHT turn past his block and called him telling him I just went past his house. He told me to turn around and drive back up to his street and make a left, so as to go back to his house. He would be out front waving to me. As it turned out, he almost waved goodbye. As I made the left turn to go past his house, I saw him waving out in front of his house and felt very pleased with myself that I had made it in one piece. This feeling was short lived as I looked away from Nick to give my attention to what was in front of me and suddenly realized when I made the left turn, I had turned onto the right (on coming) lane instead of the left lane. There was a white SUV about 100 feet in front of me coming towards me and I sharply turned the car into the left lane as it just passed and missed me I must have scared the hell out of someone. Needless to say, Nick looked a bit shocked. I think he thought that I was initially joking with him. I had wanted to take he and his family out to dinner but he made other plans and had invited other members of the forum over for a BBQ.
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Z
zedonist
Guest
Great drive and views you had Frankie, our Caravan is down that way, i drive it regular, and yes it is made for the Z3, its a popular super car route too. i notice you took the back road over the lake also, pretty scary
I stayed over at Nick's castle and the next day he and Mike took me to Sandringham House. WOW, what a place. Almost as nice as Nick's. By the way, Nick, I forgot to ask you what happened to the dog whose picture you showed me last fall? The bulldog? Anyway, Nick showed me around a bit IN THE Z8. ANOTHER WOW!!!!! On the way to Sandringham House, I followed Nick to a car park as I was going to stay at BMG's house the next day and it would have taken more time to double back to Nick's castle that to follow Nick for a while and park and pick up the car later. The only fervent prayer I uttered the whole trip:"PLEASE GOD........DON'T LET ME RUN INTO THE BACK OF NICK'S CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!"
After this, my camera ran out of battery power and I then realized I had forgotten the cord used to charge the camera. Normally, I could then use my phone, but I didn't have my phone because I don't have a smart phone ( I still have the 'dumb' one) and I borrower a friend's smart phone that was unlocked so I could use a sim card from the UK. What I didn't know was that to use the phone for a camera, I needed a micro sm card also. Everything past this, I used the video camera.
When I first got to Heathrow, I waited until everyone was off the plane to get my luggage from the overhead compartment. I had brought some pastries from a famous South Philly Italian bakery for Hugh and his family. I also brought a whole Italian Sub sandwich which Philly is famous for and I also made a Carrot cake. I had called the UK (Depra?) to see if it would go through customs. They thought it would. So I had all this in the overhead compartment on the aircraft. This is one of the reasons I waited to be last, so I could get all this down without it being smashed. When i had packed, I used a suitcase my wife usually uses. She opened it and placed it on the bed and I packed it full. She closed it and wheeled it out to the car. At the airport, the sky cap took it and i just got on with my carry ons. So after we landed and I got everything off the plane, I went through immigration. They asked me the address of where I was staying but I didn't know Hugh's address. They didn't want to let me pass because I had no addresses. I finally used something i downloaded about a hotel room. Then to pick up my bag. Since I had only seen the outside of it for a few seconds, I couldn't identify it. Continue later. Taking the dog to the vet now. Frankie
After this, my camera ran out of battery power and I then realized I had forgotten the cord used to charge the camera. Normally, I could then use my phone, but I didn't have my phone because I don't have a smart phone ( I still have the 'dumb' one) and I borrower a friend's smart phone that was unlocked so I could use a sim card from the UK. What I didn't know was that to use the phone for a camera, I needed a micro sm card also. Everything past this, I used the video camera.
When I first got to Heathrow, I waited until everyone was off the plane to get my luggage from the overhead compartment. I had brought some pastries from a famous South Philly Italian bakery for Hugh and his family. I also brought a whole Italian Sub sandwich which Philly is famous for and I also made a Carrot cake. I had called the UK (Depra?) to see if it would go through customs. They thought it would. So I had all this in the overhead compartment on the aircraft. This is one of the reasons I waited to be last, so I could get all this down without it being smashed. When i had packed, I used a suitcase my wife usually uses. She opened it and placed it on the bed and I packed it full. She closed it and wheeled it out to the car. At the airport, the sky cap took it and i just got on with my carry ons. So after we landed and I got everything off the plane, I went through immigration. They asked me the address of where I was staying but I didn't know Hugh's address. They didn't want to let me pass because I had no addresses. I finally used something i downloaded about a hotel room. Then to pick up my bag. Since I had only seen the outside of it for a few seconds, I couldn't identify it. Continue later. Taking the dog to the vet now. Frankie
Hi Frankie, sorry, no not me! JIM
Continued from last post. ............I hadn't seen the suitcase I packed everything in for more that a few moments. When it was unloaded from the plane and put on the baggage claim, I couldn't recognize it. I knew it was black but so were seventy percent of the other bags. I started picking up the one I thought was mine only to realize when I peeked inside, that it wasn't mine. I knew I couldn't keep looking into other people's luggage or I might be arrested, so I waited until they were almost gone and then finally saw mine. The customs dept. near my baggage claim was closed so I had to go to the other end of the terminal to the other customs department that was open. There are three colors to the entrances, blue, green and red. I had to go to the red one because I was coming from outside the UK and I had things to declare. I figured that they might not let anything go past. First, the sub had meat and cheese in it, The carrot cake had a cream cheese frosting, and the Italian pastries, like the ricotta cannolies had dairy products. So I was sweating that it all might be taken away and I would end up at Hugh's house empty handed. By the time all this had taken place, everyone from the plane had long gone. I entered the red door of customs with no one in front of me. As I entered the first room, there was a desk with a computer and other electronic equipment on it. No one behind it. I figured this was the preliminary check and the place where they really go through everything was around the corner. I called out "Hello" several times but there was no response. So I went around the corner to where I thought I would really get checked out and there was nothing there. I kept walking forward and calling out, but still no response, no one in sight. Before I knew it, I was walking out of the terminal. So what I was REALLY sweating, never happened.
I caught the bus from Enterprise car rental and went to their place. Instead of the Toyota they promised, they got me a VW Golf diesel. They run a check around the car with you first to show you there is nothing wrong with the car. I kept thinking that It probably won't look this good by the time I get through with it. I got in the car and began to set things up. It was then that I fully realized how much trouble I was in before i even got started. I was plenty scared about driving on the other side of the road. I knew that the fewer my distractions, the better off I would be concentrating on driving. And that's where all the trouble started. Looking at the car I was very thankful Hard Top and the others talked me into getting an automatic. This alone might be the reason I am sitting here now. Then this was a new car. I don't own a new car or anything near it. EVERYTHING is electronically controlled. I can handle this but it takes alot of time to see where everything is and how it works. Great if you got half a day but I know Hugh was on his way to the point where we would meet. I know, I'll do it on the fly (yeah, SURE. After being up for almost 2 days?) That's ok, I just rely heavily on the gps (sat nav). Hugh gave me the postal code, I'll just plug it in and I'll be on my way. REALLY?. I plug in the code and it doesn't recognize it. Code not found. Now what? This is what I was depending on. Its ok. I'll figure it out. If I get lost, I'll just use my phone. REALLY? I borrowed this smart phone from my friend because it was unlocked and I could buy a sim card in the UK and install it when I get there, which I did. A wonder THAT went smoothly. Three os the guys gave me their numbers so I can call them. I'll just put the numbers in a place where I can find them when I need them BULLSXXX. Think I could remember where I put them. Remember, no sleep. That's really no problem. I didn't have the time to figure out how to use the phone anyway. I'll just do that on the fly also. WHILE I'M DRIVING. Hugh's waiting. Got to get going. I'll just start, what else could possibly go wrong? I carefully pull out from the parking spot and approach the lift gate at the exit of the car rental. I stop. The car stalls out. Why did I do that? They'll think I'm stupid and don't know how to drive. The lift gate opens and I approach the first round about. I come to a stop. I want to make sure I'm looking in the right direction. The car stalls out. I get nuts in the head. I KNOW I didn't do that. I take my foot off the break and the car starts up again. OH, WANNA PLAY GAMES, HUH? Then I remember the attendant telling me this was a gas saving feature and I could disable it. Takes 3 or 4 minutes before I find the button to do this and there's 5 cars behind me. None of them beep!!! So the forum guys were RIGHT. A better breed of driver over here.
I foolishly risk my life and the lives of others trying to drive with no sleep. HOW STUPID OF ME!!!!!!!!!!. I'll never do that again no matter what.
Hugh meets me at a Travel lodge car park where we transfer my stuff to his car. I'm late but he is kind and patient with me and I do appreciate it. A really nice guy. I almost fall asleep in his car on the way back to his house.
Something I forgot to tell Nick. When you dropped me off in the car park and left, (when I was going to BMG'S house), as you were leaving the lot, there were several people eating outside, mostly younger guys and girls, about 15 of them. All of them stopped eating and talking and excitedly looked at your car passing by. You had EVERYONE'S attention!!!!! Frankie
I caught the bus from Enterprise car rental and went to their place. Instead of the Toyota they promised, they got me a VW Golf diesel. They run a check around the car with you first to show you there is nothing wrong with the car. I kept thinking that It probably won't look this good by the time I get through with it. I got in the car and began to set things up. It was then that I fully realized how much trouble I was in before i even got started. I was plenty scared about driving on the other side of the road. I knew that the fewer my distractions, the better off I would be concentrating on driving. And that's where all the trouble started. Looking at the car I was very thankful Hard Top and the others talked me into getting an automatic. This alone might be the reason I am sitting here now. Then this was a new car. I don't own a new car or anything near it. EVERYTHING is electronically controlled. I can handle this but it takes alot of time to see where everything is and how it works. Great if you got half a day but I know Hugh was on his way to the point where we would meet. I know, I'll do it on the fly (yeah, SURE. After being up for almost 2 days?) That's ok, I just rely heavily on the gps (sat nav). Hugh gave me the postal code, I'll just plug it in and I'll be on my way. REALLY?. I plug in the code and it doesn't recognize it. Code not found. Now what? This is what I was depending on. Its ok. I'll figure it out. If I get lost, I'll just use my phone. REALLY? I borrowed this smart phone from my friend because it was unlocked and I could buy a sim card in the UK and install it when I get there, which I did. A wonder THAT went smoothly. Three os the guys gave me their numbers so I can call them. I'll just put the numbers in a place where I can find them when I need them BULLSXXX. Think I could remember where I put them. Remember, no sleep. That's really no problem. I didn't have the time to figure out how to use the phone anyway. I'll just do that on the fly also. WHILE I'M DRIVING. Hugh's waiting. Got to get going. I'll just start, what else could possibly go wrong? I carefully pull out from the parking spot and approach the lift gate at the exit of the car rental. I stop. The car stalls out. Why did I do that? They'll think I'm stupid and don't know how to drive. The lift gate opens and I approach the first round about. I come to a stop. I want to make sure I'm looking in the right direction. The car stalls out. I get nuts in the head. I KNOW I didn't do that. I take my foot off the break and the car starts up again. OH, WANNA PLAY GAMES, HUH? Then I remember the attendant telling me this was a gas saving feature and I could disable it. Takes 3 or 4 minutes before I find the button to do this and there's 5 cars behind me. None of them beep!!! So the forum guys were RIGHT. A better breed of driver over here.
I foolishly risk my life and the lives of others trying to drive with no sleep. HOW STUPID OF ME!!!!!!!!!!. I'll never do that again no matter what.
Hugh meets me at a Travel lodge car park where we transfer my stuff to his car. I'm late but he is kind and patient with me and I do appreciate it. A really nice guy. I almost fall asleep in his car on the way back to his house.
Something I forgot to tell Nick. When you dropped me off in the car park and left, (when I was going to BMG'S house), as you were leaving the lot, there were several people eating outside, mostly younger guys and girls, about 15 of them. All of them stopped eating and talking and excitedly looked at your car passing by. You had EVERYONE'S attention!!!!! Frankie
Oh Frankie, you are just killing me....I take my helmet off to you....
I would too Frankie, ...... if I had one. Keep the story coming mate it's awesome.Oh Frankie, you are just killing me....I take my helmet off to you....
Frankie, I'm soooo sorry I couldn't go with you!! JIM
COMING SOON!!!!!!!!!! YOU'VE READ THE 'BOOK' NOW SEE THE MOVIE. At a forum near you soon!
I see you're up and on. How about Skype?
Frankie, no skype, I live in what my provider says is a dead area and I'm lucky that I can get on the forum. What's app works or emails. The joys of not having to fight with big city crap. Winnipeg is about 75 miles one way and I avoid going into the city unless absolutely necessary. Have to go in Thursday to see my wife and granddaughter off to Chile to visit my new grandson, my son and his partner. Can't wait to see the video of your trip. With all the comments I almost felt I was there with you at least in spirit. I want to blow up the pic Gary took of you with the Guinness for my shop. Later, JIM
I told you in the beginning that U-turns and T-junctions are the most dangerous when driving in the UK
...I've done the same thing once...luckily there was no oncoming traffic at that time.
Koen
There were times your words were ringing in my ears.I told you in the beginning that U-turns and T-junctions are the most dangerous when driving in the UK
...I've done the same thing once...luckily there was no oncoming traffic at that time.
Koen
I forgot to mention in the story above that the reason the sat nav didn't accept the postal codes was that it was set for Ireland and not the UK. Worked fine after resetting it. FrankieI told you in the beginning that U-turns and T-junctions are the most dangerous when driving in the UK
...I've done the same thing once...luckily there was no oncoming traffic at that time.
Koen