We chose the “Self Help” disembarkation option which meant that we had to lug our bags of the ship on our own, but did get off pretty early.
On our way out I noticed that one couple were disembarking with two bikes, all of their luggage packed into various bike bags. Given what I learned while looking into bringing a bike on the trip, I bet it’s cheaper and easier to do by boat, as long as you have the time to spare. Not sure where they put the tux and gowns though.
When researching trains to Heathrow, I’d figured we wouldn’t get of the boat until at least 9, so the first train I’d found was for 9:30 for around 39 pounds. Once in the taxi, the driver sold us on having him just drive us to Heathrow as train fares before 9:30 were double for peak travel. A little hemming and hawing and we bargained him down to 110 pounds.
One thing that was a little odd was that he didn’t know which terminal Delta was at. I guess that in itself isn’t odd, but more that he expected us to know it. I sort of expected you’d drive in the airport entrance and look at the terminal signs. I turns out that Heathrow is so big that terminals 4 and 5 are completely different exits off the motorway.
Anyway, on a hunch and a phone call, he dropped us at terminal 5, which is quite nice. Turned out however that Delta is at terminal 4, which was something like 15 minutes and 4 bus stops away. Also turns out that terminal 4 is quite a dump. I think Port Authority bus station is nicer.
We actually managed to squeeze dad, Lee and I and our luggage into the rather small car dad rented so I didn’t have to take the train. Not sure how much room Lee really had in the back seat.
As much as I sort of hoped to have to take the train, I think it was good for dad to have me around to get comfortable with driving on the wrong side of the road and get out of London. It really did take the both of us, and a few u-turns, to stay on the correct side of the road and onto the motorway as fast as possible.
The drive up to North Yorkshire was fairly uneventful. I managed to get a bit of sleep to make up for the lack thereof the prior night. I also rediscovered that they don’t automatically serve ice in their somewhat lukewarm fountain beverages. But I did have a lovely egg and bacon sandwich. Lots of English bacon on egg salad. Mmmmmmm….only in Britain.
Since we were way ahead of schedule, dad decided we should head straight to Ripon first, before stopping at Peter’s. I wasn’t too jazzed about the idea. I really wanted to start in Ripon alone, wander around on my own terms, but dad seemed pretty determined so I didn’t really argue.
Once parked and settled in the market square, I sort of abandoned dad and Lee and did a little exploring on my own. An hour or so later we met back up and had our first real pub dinner at The Unicorn. I had steak & ale pie, and a pint of Black Sheep Best Bitter, cask conditioned, hand pulled. This time around not only was the beer excellent, but the food was tasty too.
Maybe they’ve finally figured out how to do both!
After dinner we made our way to Thirsk and Peter and Anne’s farmhouse. Had a lovely evening and retired a bit on the early side…before 4am!
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