Great write up Steve! What a champion Ian is. One of the things I love about cycle touring is the number of good people you meet along the way. It's very different to the story we get fed every day in the news. I look forward to reading about your trip with the grandchildren which I'm sure you're very excited about.

Ken and Michael looked at vidios Michael rang someone and they thought they had it! But I soon realised I had to always ride in the lowest gear! Yes we needed a 2024 Grampie

Thanks for the heads up, but I think I could handle this because it would be in my sight line.

Thanks for letting us know about this place. It is a really terrific spot to prepare for our return home. Ian and Clare are great. Your bikes are safely waiting for your return, and they both say "hurry back".

Oof yes, I would some serious meditative power to absorb the place in the presence of the hordes - although the garden really does generate “serene” as a mood even in the pictures filled with people somehow.

Ah fond memories of that room ... and the beam. So glad you're liking it there. We loved it too. Also great to see the route you took to get there.

“New Math”puzzle..not just for kids!

You have a great attitude about those intrusive tourists. When I find myself in a tourist area, I curse the other tourists for invading my own private spot. Even when I come to terms with the fact that I'm a tourist too, I still feel superior because, after all, I came here by bicycle.

It was truly our pleasure.

They had so many books for sale that maybe they thought if people could look at them while comfortably seated they might buy more.

Haha, very funny. At least funny for us, not so much for the snails.

We wondered what it was called. Thanks.

There were people literally everywhere. The place is justifiably so popular. The only way to function, we found, was to move about slowly, not get stressed and accept that we would have many unknown people in our shots.

That was some day! Thanks for doing the legwork for all of us!

A couch? Smart touch for the non buyers..