Portobello is situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, about three miles east of Edinburgh city centre. Like nearby Leith, Portobello – sometimes referred to as Porty
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 20: Going Home
With today being the final day of the trip for me, we decided to go out for a slightly more substantial breakfast than usual. The venue was Boston Tea Party
England Grand Tour (2021): Days 18-19: Return to Bristol & A day in Bath
Day 18: Monday Today was probably the most low-key day of the trip. We drove from Borehamwood back to Bristol Airport, returned the rental car and completed the journey to
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 17: Bletchley Park & St Albans
Bletchley Park Bletchley Park is a country house and estate which is now within the boundaries of Milton Keynes, the largest town in Buckinghamshire. It became the main centre for
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 16: Cambridge and more
Beautiful Cambridge Our first true destination in this second ‘road trip within a trip’ was a new one for Bruce: the beautiful university city of Cambridge. Although I had visited
England Grand Tour (2021): Days 12-15: Based in Bristol & On the Road once more
Day 12: Tuesday The day began with another complimentary Hilton breakfast, and we both reverted to the ‘full English’ option. In due course, we took the Central Line from Holland
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 11: South Bank to East End
Bank Holiday Monday got underway with another complimentary breakfast, thanks to Bruce’s status with Hilton. This time, we both decided on a lighter, more continental approach to the first meal
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 10: A London Sunday ‘Wellcome’
Today began with a well executed and Covid-compliant breakfast at the ‘Hilton Ken’, as we had taken to calling it. Bruce and I both opted for a slimmed-down cooked option.
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 9: And so to London
We hit the jackpot with this morning’s breakfast, which was at The Coffee Shop in tiny Sherfield on Loddon. The venue turned out to be a lovely, welcoming place attached
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 8: When visiting Surrey, best not be in a hurry
Off to Guildford We drove into Hook and had breakfast at an independent coffee shop there, agreeing afterwards that it had been nothing special. After briefly returning to Tylney Hall
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 7: G & Tea
Off to Bombay Once again, the day started with an inclusive breakfast at the Hilton. Today’s plan was to have it at 9am and to eat something closer to a
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 6: Portsmouth
The day started with an inclusive breakfast at the Hilton, which made a nice change from coffee-shop fare. We had beautifully clear blue skies for our day trip to Portsmouth,
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 5: Winchester and More
Onwards to Winchester Today’s breakfast was at Caffè Nero on Marlborough’s High Street, after which it was back to the Premier Inn for showers and packing. Our next destination was
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 4: All Change!
I’m flying – I remember this! We had our Covid-style Holiday Inn Express breakfast, then packed, checked out and caught a Tyne & Wear Metro train to Newcastle Airport. Today
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 3: From Durham back to Newcastle
Farewell walk in Durham Sunday started with another ‘Nero’ breakfast, following which we returned to the hotel for showers and packing. When ready, we headed out for a final Durham
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 2: Getting Reacquainted with Durham
Before lunch We had breakfast at the local branch of Caffè Nero, a few minutes’ walk away via Elvet Bridge and the Market Place. In due course, we set out
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 1: First Border Crossing and Hotel Stay of the Year!
Edinburgh – Newcastle – Durham I left my flat shortly before 1130, bound initially for Edinburgh’s West End tram stop. I had my rollaboard in tow, unbelievably out for its
England Grand Tour (2021): Introduction
For a pair of committed globetrotters such as myself and my Bristol-based friend Bruce, the first four months of 2021 constituted a horrible period. We may not have realised at