Planes, Trains, and...Bicycles?

 

One thing that stands out in the trip thus far is modes of transport. In the weeks leading up to our move to the UK we flew first to Vancouver and then to Toronto, "warm-ups" as it were to the big transatlantic flight (five time zones). It was a great flight on Sunwing Air -- great food and service (in your face, Air Canada) -- but we were all pretty exhausted by the time we reached Gatwick Airport, south of London.

 

 

  

From there it was a short train ride into London (Farrington Station), followed by a brief jaunt on the tube in London (to Baker St.) to catch our connecting train at beautiful Marylebone Station.

 

 

 

Even with our Beverly-Hillbillies load of luggage, this part of the trip went really well. The rail system in the UK sometimes gets a bad rap, but we've found it convenient and relatively inexpensive, not to mention a great, relaxing way to see the countryside.

 

 

 

 

 

We've also taken the bus to various places, and the double-deckers are definitely the family favorite.

 

 

 

One of the reasons we chose to live in Stratford-upon-Avon, rather than, say, out in the country was that we didn't want to purchase a vehicle if we could help it. Stratford is small by British standards, and our townhouse is centrally located, so that we can walk pretty well anywhere -- to the schools, shops, buses, train station, church, etc. And we've done a LOT of walking over the past few weeks. 

 

 

 

 

 This is fine, but it's a bit time-consuming, so we've gradually been acquiring bicycles (at the time of writing we have four -- just one more and we can do some family bike trips), mainly by walking (aargh) outside of town to the "Tip" (i.e. the dump) where there is an over-priced recycled goods shop. It's actually a great thing to see usable items recycled rather than thrown in the landfill, and we've done our part by rescuing some shabby but rideable bikes.

  

 

 

There are beautiful bike trails around town and some gorgeous villages within riding distance --Alcester,  Tiddington,  Snitterfield,  Wilmcote. Can't wait to get rolling.