I'd like to know if I could use this already OT thread for some personal gain? It's looking pretty good that I may get to visit England and maybe Wales and Scotland too if I'm lucky. I'm working out the details to visit at the end of June. One thing I'm seriously considering is renting a car. At first I didn't think it would be wise, since I drive on the wrong side of the road and all. I was thinking of using trains, buses etc. But my daughter told me it cost her over a hundred dollars to travel one way from London to Durham. And if she and her boyfriend go that would be darn expensive. Seeing as how my main goal is to see some of the countryside and old places, it may be more economical for me to drive around. I realise that gas prices out there are (at least)triple what I pay here. So I'm just wondering if some of my fellow Brycers from the area would like to clue me in on what I can expect from out there. How is the transportation situation? And if anyone wants to meet me for a drink in a local pub, or a walk in a garden, let me know and I'll see if I can arrange to be in your area. What I'm hoping to do is wander. Wander thru old places, castles, homes, pubs, gardens, trails. I may visit London, but its not a high priority. Oh and I'm a woman, so of course I'll want to do some shopping, sheesh I almost forgot about that. :-D Angela