|
Post by Jim on Sept 24, 2014 0:19:50 GMT 9
I lived in England for 6 years while stationed at RAF Upper Heyford near Oxford. During my travels there I found Most of the people extremely friendly and courteous. The exception there as anywhere I have traveled. Big city folks can be unfriendly, rude and nasty. But that is the same everywhere I have found. So don't judge the Brits by the Londoner's. But remember the old English saying about US GI's...Overpaid, oversexed and over-here. Lorin My experience all over the world- including France, has been to stay out of the cities if you want meet the real people- just like here at home...... My reminder to the Limeys whenever I would hear that, was, "Were we not 'over here' in the early '40s, you my friend, would be speaking German today". They don't like being reminded that we kicked their ass twice and then over 125 years later, saved their ass........
|
|
|
Post by pat perry on Sept 24, 2014 6:54:52 GMT 9
But remember the old English saying about US GI's...Overpaid, oversexed and over-here. Lorin
Three great attributes the English wish they had.
Pat
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 24, 2014 7:06:38 GMT 9
Gary, be sure to go to Newmarket, and on the High Street, stop in at Thornton's Chocolate Shop and buy some of their delicious dark chocolate bars.
Yummy!
Don't forget to enjoy some real Fish and Chips at any number of places.
The ones off of the Food Trucks are some of the best.
I think they are cooked in pure lard.
Jim Too
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Sept 27, 2014 4:15:13 GMT 9
Spent the morning at the Waddesdon Manor Estate. Then we drove to Bath and outside of Bath is Stoneheadge. Monday on the driv back to Lakenheath AB we will sto at Duxford Military War Museum. Pic of the estate.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Sept 28, 2014 6:41:54 GMT 9
The Roman Baths in Bath, England were awesome. They really could build things.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 1, 2014 17:31:17 GMT 9
Belinda and I are sitting in our daughter's home having a light morning meal in the solarium, as F-15 fighter jets are passing over the house on their way into landing at (RAF) Lakenheath Air Base. Six or eight have passed over this morning so far. Been hearing some take off over the last hour so may be able to get a pic or two in another hour. Its all the sound of freedom.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 3, 2014 0:45:15 GMT 9
Caught a few pictures of the F-15's passing over my daughter's house near Lakenheath, AB.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 6, 2014 19:56:07 GMT 9
Stepped into that London telephone booth and figured I could come back out a superman. As you can see I'm the same old Redneck Farm Guy.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 7, 2014 17:05:18 GMT 9
The London Underground often call the "Tube" I found to be a very clean and well lighten area with very clean and comfortable subway trains. When we took the trains from Germany to Thetford, England three English ladies told us the London Tube was dirty and not the way to get around London. Our Daughter Corrine and her Husband Christopher traveled the London subway before us and did not agree with the advice the English ladies gave us. So one day during a rain shower we were far between tour bus stops and we decided to duck down into the London Underground. It was a very nice trip across under London to the Russell Street station about 5 blocks from our Holiday Inn Hotel. Right outside the station was a very inexpensive shop and post cards were only 5 pence, so I knew they had good deals. We then took a taxi the five blocks. I know your thinking "Five Blocks?" I do not like Belinda walking too far on her new knee replacement which is only 4 1/2 months old. I look at it as a few British Pounds saves Belinda pains and a poor nights sleep. Attachments:
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 7, 2014 17:09:16 GMT 9
Nice short video I took of an English Subway Train pulling into Russell Street Station, London.
I took the NYC subway way back in 1982 with my young Children. We landed at Dover AFB, Delaware. Using mass transit to get to Damascus, Pennsylvania we had to connect through the NYC Port Authority. I found the NYC Subway to be very dirty, stinky, nasty, and I considered it rundown and unsafe. From the TV shows like Law & Order and SVU it looks about the same. Got to give the English & German Government's an "A PLUS" for keeping up there trains and subways.
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Oct 8, 2014 0:58:27 GMT 9
Gary, when we have visited London, we used the "Tube" quite a bit.
The Circle Route seemed to have the newest trains and it takes you close to most anything you want to see.
We have bought Weekend Unlimited Tickets, which save quite a bit of money.
They are not good on all trains, but were good on all the trains we rode.
The Unlimited Ticket is also good on some of the street buses, which really makes it nice.
We found the trains to be clean, and most of the workers to be friendly and helpful.
Not all the people were friendly, as most were in a hurry to get to or from their trains.
We found the train schedules to be quite accurate, unless there was a bomb threat, which would stop all trains and throw the schedule off.
Our first time in London, we stayed in a B&B near Kensington Park.
It was actually more like a botique hotel, no lift, with breakfast in the lowest level, a partial basement.
The room was more than adequate and comfortable, with a great English Style Breakfast.
It was close to two Underground station, right next each other.
The last trip we made, we stayed at a Travelodge in the Docklands area.
It was nice, but the room was quite small.
That is something we found in other "chain" hotels, small rooms, but nice and comfortable.
We also did a lot of walking in London, as that is the best way to see many things.
But, the "Tube" got us to 221B Baker Street as well as to the British Museum.
Mind the Gap.
Jim Too
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 8, 2014 3:35:21 GMT 9
Looks like we are leaving tomorrow out of Mildenhall RAF on a space-a flight. Final end of mission is Travis. Its possible it might land in Bangor, Maine over night. That would be alright. Either way there are 40 confirmed seats. I just hope its a C-17 and not a C-5. But its still a free flight.
|
|
|
Post by pat perry on Oct 8, 2014 7:29:26 GMT 9
Looks like we are leaving tomorrow out of Mildenhall RAF on a space-a flight. Final end of mission is Travis. Its possible it might land in Bangor, Maine over night. That would be alright. Either way there are 40 confirmed seats. I just hope its a C-17 and not a C-5. But its still a free flight. Gary, Safe trip home for you and Belinda. Thanks for taking us on this great journey with you. We learned a lot.
Pat P.
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Oct 8, 2014 8:10:49 GMT 9
Glad you are pretty sure of getting a seat on a Heavy Lifter.
Hope the flight across the Pond is smooth and you are able to spend the night in Bangor before flying to McChord.
Jim Too
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 9, 2014 16:32:03 GMT 9
After almost 3 weeks in Germany and Austria, then over 2 weeks in England with our daughter’s family it was time to head back home. So, I started monitoring the Space-A missions out of RAF Mildenhall Air Base by internet. There were no missions on the schedule, then one evening there was a mission listed for Thursday going to Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB) in Eastern Washington State. Our vehicle was at McChord AFB in the western side of the state. That was surely close enough, but no seats were listed as of yet.
Then the next day which was Tuesday another mission was scheduled to depart Wednesday going to Travis AFB, CA with a stopover night at Bangor Maine. Fourty seats were listed available for Space-A travel. Still no seats were listed for the Fairchild AFB mission. Belinda and I talked it over and figured it would be best to take the Travis AFB mission even with the stop over night at Bangor Maine. We would just get a hotel/motel room for the night and fly onto Travis AFB the next day.
Later I figured I’d check with the Air Mobility Command Passenger Terminal via internet to see what might be the chance of a mission out of Travis to McChord. How fortunate can you get? A mission was listed to McChord for late Wednesday. That was great as we had planned for a hotel and airline tickets to Seattle. This military flight will save us a few bucks and get us home quicker.
Now, for the military flight, on a Travis C-17 military transport jet. The mission had a 0840hrs (8:40AM for civilians) show time for roll-call. Our daughter got us up at 0600hrs and drove us to RAF Mildenhall arriving at the Passenger Terminal just about 0715hrs. We processed in with military ID Cards and Passports, then paid for two in-flight meals which in my active duty days, we called them “box nastys” as sometimes they were filled with not so good stuff. The roll-call took place early and along with 6 other retired military couples were taken out to the C-17 aircraft. Onboard we joined 7 activity duty Air Force Airman and the Flight Crew.
This was going great as it looked like a very early take-off. We sat for 30 minutes and then were asked if we would like to go back to the terminal or remain onboard while extra fuel was added as it was decided to over-fly Bangor, Maine and go straight to Travis. We all elected to remain onboard. We finely took off about 1100hrs on our way to Travis.
During the flight Belinda napped, read a book, and wrote in her journal. I slept a little, took pictures, and typed this on our laptop to pass the time. Europe to the west coast of the United States takes quite some time.
We have been in the air for 9 hours and the clouds finely started to break up over Canada. I got a few photos of Canada and hope the clouds break up more as we get closer to the U.S. & Canada Border. We are still 2 hours and 10 minutes from touchdown at Travis AFB, CA.
About 45 minutes before landing the loadmaster asked everyone to gather-up and pack our things for landing, then she announced that the mission leaving Travis in 3 hours was delayed until the next morning. After landing we signed up for the flight to McChord and obtained a room in the Base Inn to rest and relax.
I enjoy military space-a flights. The openness, legroom, walking around, and the space to lay out a mat and sleep if you like.
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Oct 10, 2014 7:25:24 GMT 9
Gary, we have stayed on Travis a number of times.
Before they tore them down, the old Family Transient Quarters were actually small two bedroom apartments.
When they tore them down the built the current high-rise building, which is really nice, but the rooms are not very large if staying more than a couple days.
The one drawback, no places to eat close by.
There is the snack bar across the street and the lobby of the hotel has some stuff, but no place to eat breakfast, unless you want to hike to BK.
So, we usually got some pastries the night before, some juice and had them with coffee in the room.
Compared to the places off base, the Travis Hotel is a bargain, even without breakfast.
We always had our car, so we could go to Fairfield or Vacaville to eat, you didn't have that option.
Glad you had good trip, and a great time in Europe and England.
Jim Too
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 10, 2014 22:49:36 GMT 9
I called for a taxi and requested it at 0415hrs at the Travis Inn. I discovered that all three taxi cab companies were booked until 5:30AM with limited taxies in operation that early. I explained our problem with the flight check in time and that we could not walk the 2 or 3 miles to the terminal with our luggage and my wife having a knee replacement 4 months ago. Belinda and I were just about all packed and ready so I asked, "Is there any chance we could get a taxi now in about 5 or 10 minutes?" The dispatcher said, "We have one near your location between calls and if you can be outside the Travis Inn in 5 or 10 minutes he will quickly pick-you up and get you to the terminal." We agreed and he was there within minutes of us stepping outside.
We arrived at the Terminal at 0400hrs and checked in for the flight to McChord AFB. It was a U.S Air Force Reserve C-5 aircraft. Only 3 retired couples and 2 active duty military members checked in for the flight, and there were 40 seats available. Two of the couples were on our flight from England and they need the flights, one couple had a death in the family and another were going to see their son who contracted Westnile virus and was in the hospital in Oregon. We felt for these two couples.
It wasn't very long and our flight was called, we had already processed our luggage, so we went to the gate and went through the TSA Inspections. We boarded the bus and out to the aircraft we went for boarding. At the C-5 aircraft we all waited in the bus for about ten minutes. When the driver returned she informed us we were going back to the terminal. My thought was, "Another C-5 broke again." But then, she said, "Aircraft is on a weather hold for weather at McChord." This was a relief, as Belinda and I had been vacationing for 6 weeks and had a strong desire to get home. The other two couples needed this flight much more than we did.
Back in the terminal we were advised the weather hold would be two hours. We were advised that we could leave our carry-on bags in the TSA Inspection Room and they would be secure and watched over by an Airman. We could used the restrooms, get some food, or just walk around the terminal if we wanted. Belinda and I went and ordered breakfast burritos and mocha coffee. A pilot was also ordering food and I asked if he knew anything about the weather at McChord causing a delays. He pulled out his iphone and connected to the internet and informed us that the area was fogged in. About 15 minutes later our burritos we given to us and the coffee would take a few minutes. I unwrapped the end of my burrito and just as I was about to take a bite our flight was called for boarding. I secured the foil wrapping and quickly got a refund for the coffee and off we went back out to the C-5 aircraft.
We got onboard and secured. Take-off was fairly quick and as we reached cruise altitude we ate our burritos and drank some water and milk, then reclined our seats. I remember thinking how nice it was for the Travis Passenger Terminal Staff to keep our carry-on bags secured and provided a guard to watch over them so we could get do whatever we needed in the terminal building without worry. All that was required was to leave our ID cards with the guard as a pass to allow us to get back into where our bags were. I remember thinking how great that service was that they provided. Then we both fell asleep I guess.
Next thing I remember was waking up and looking for something to do to pass the time. We had a few post cards left over from Germany & England, so I decided to write and address them. I did only two and the Loadmaster announced that we needed to get ready for our approach into McChord. Our 6 week adventure in Europe (Germany, Austria, & England) and visiting our Daughter's family had been perfect and wonderful. Looking forward to our next trip to England and Ireland next year with air travel provided by AMC.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,374
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Oct 13, 2014 0:58:25 GMT 9
Had my coffee 2x (Hawaiian) and going to get ready for Church. Have to go to the Lord's House and thank him for a great & safe vacation the last 6 weeks in Europe. Friends invited us to a football party with lunch, snacks, and a big HDTV to watch the game on. They are die-hard Seahawks fans. I'm not a football fan so I'll go and root for the Cowboys and see if I get kicked out. LOL.
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Oct 13, 2014 5:46:10 GMT 9
Had my coffee 2x (Hawaiian) and going to get ready for Church. Have to go to the Lord's House and thank him for a great & safe vacation the last 6 weeks in Europe. Friends invited us to a football party with lunch, snacks, and a big HDTV to watch the game on. They are die-hard Seahawks fans. I'm not a football fan so I'll go and root for the Cowboys and see if I get kicked out. LOL. Gary, if you root for the "Boys", you may not get kicked out of the party.
However, they may hang you by your toes on a power pole, with a Seahawks flag attached to your feet.
One thing for certain, rooting for the "Boys" at a Seahawks party takes a lot more nerve than I have.
But, then, I don't like the "Boys" and always hope they lose.
Go Seahawks.
Jim Too
|
|
|
Post by Mark O on Oct 14, 2014 2:09:58 GMT 9
No TV, and as a result I don't follow football as much as I used to (having fun on my ham radio though!) so I just read the score of the Cowboy-Seahawk game. Now THAT, would have been worth a watch! I'm sure you were a very polite, and gracious guest Gary! Mark O
|
|