I will be heading to London in early June, then North to York, the Lake District and then Edinborough. Although to me it is a picture trip, my wife thinks it's a family trip. We are a group of six. If anyone has any suggestions for places to stay, that can be considered "reasonable", in these places (I recognize i mauy need 2 rooms for each place/night), I would love the input. Equipment suggestions for merry ol' also appreciated. Off-list by-e mail is fine. Thanx!

-- Bob Stevens (matlaw@hargray.com), May 06, 2002

Answers

Bob

Edinburgh not Edinborough! If you say it the way you spell it then you will always be wrong - it is pronounced E-din - breau. Just thought you ought to know. Strangely enough it is often spelt as you have done in the US. Don't get me started on the pronounciation of Leicester or Worcester! Anyway, Edinburgh is a wonderful city and the north country, the lakes and the lowlands of Scotland are superb. I recommend a stop at Melrose on the way to Edinburgh - you can look around Abbotsford the museum that was Sir Walter Scott's home. Also the ruined abbey. All wonderful stuff. My favorite Lake is Buttermere. Lindisfarne is also worth a visit as is the Northumbrian cost in general. I hope you are lucky with the weather and that you are not too swamped by tourists. My understanding is that visitors to the UK are way down due to 9/11 fears. Can't recommend anywhere particular to stay as it as all been too long since I have made the trip.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), May 06, 2002.

For god's sake don't call Scotland "England" either! The English won't care but the Scots will. "Britain" or the "UK" will do, but "Scotland" makes them happy! Have a great trip.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), May 06, 2002.

in london you have so many choices. if you are there for a week, i strongly recommend hiring a flat. for much less than the cost of seven nights in a hotel room (let alone two rooms a night for seven nights) you can have a very nice place ith a kitchen, etc. in any district of the city you choose. it is really the best way to go. in edinburgh, i strongly recommend the prestonfield house. it is an amazing place, great food, views, peacocks, etc. it was a notable stop on ben johnson's walking tour.

-- roger michel (michel@techfoundation.org), May 06, 2002.

I would also recommend a visit to Lindisfarne ('Holy Island') on the Northumberland coast, but don't forget the Yorkshire Dales and a stop off to see the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television here in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The most visited museum outside London.

Bob.

-- Bob Gates (bob@robertgates.net), May 06, 2002.

While your in ol' London town, try to take in a trip on the London Eye. A great experience; I did a night flight last year where I shot this.

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), May 06, 2002.

Of course you could visit the Isle of Man . . .

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), May 06, 2002.

…and have a "chat" with phil, eh!! :o)

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), May 06, 2002.

My thoughts exactly!

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), May 06, 2002.

Tim: Great shot. I've heard that you must get a reservation in advance; what was your experience with this? What equipment did you use for your travels around? Thanx. Bob Stevens

-- Bob Stevens (matlaw@hargray.com), May 06, 2002.

Bob, I like the way you've arranged your title. A librarian would love it!

I liked the touristy (only by UK standards) Ambleside and environs. Ruskin's cottage is a must, Wordsworth's less so. Nice views of Coniston water from Ruskin's library. Be sure to take along a very wide, and bright lens for the interiors.

IMHO, it is a family trip. So you will have to travel light and shoot fast. Take along adequate amounts of fast slide film-the colors in the UK are gorgeous, especially the greens. The UK can be cloudy, dark, so the fast film is a must. E200 or Provia 400. Buy your film in the US, it is less expensive than in the UK.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), May 06, 2002.

The British Airways London Eye has a web site you can use to book your 'flight.' It was booked several days ahead when it first opened but I don't know the situation now. If you want a specific time of day, and a specific day, that's the way to guarantee it.

-- Joe Brugger (jbrugger@pcez.com), May 06, 2002.

In London, stay out of the Waxworks - - - a colossal tourist trap. An afternoon spent in Westminister will take you back to the roots of the English, as will the touristy trip to the Tower. The Lake Country truly is beautiful. In Scotland, PLEASE remember that the Scottish people can be called "British," but NEVER English! The Scottish people also say: "Scots are what we are, Scotch is what we drink." - - - and while you're up, the Scots drink single malt "Whisky." - - - No e , as in "whiskey." Try the Talisker from the Isle of Skye, or Lagavulin from the Isle of Islay. The Speyside single malts lack that distinctive smoked peat and salt air flavor that's intrinsic to the Westward Island malts. And, Talisker can be used, judiciously in very small amounts, to take the Atlantic Sea salt residue from your 35mm Summicron. < grin >

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), May 06, 2002.

Mr. Berger omits a most important piece of information. Be sure to buy yourself some of that single malt whiskey (me, I just like the Singleton of Auchroisk) at Heathrow before you leave. About half the street price in the US and a very respectable selection.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), May 06, 2002.

Mani, you spelled "whisky" wrong! Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky are different drinks. Not that I care much; I tend to agree with Aldous Huxley, who opined that whisk(e)y makes a good emetic! :-)

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), May 07, 2002.

And I began typing that sentence fully meaning to type 'whisky'. Age creeps up...

:-)

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), May 07, 2002.

Bob, thanks for your comment. Joe Brugger has given you the info on booking the flight on the Eye, though mine was arranged via a friend; he in turn got them through another friend's work scheme……are you following this, hehe!!

I took with me just my M6 and 35mm 'lux Asph. The film was Fuji MS 100/1000 rated at EI 200. Not fast enough, as much of the time I was shooting around 1/15th to 1/8th wide open (one shot down to 1/2th sec!). A lesson learned, but the M saved the day.

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), May 07, 2002.

Bob, I should add that I live here in Blighty!!

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), May 07, 2002.

Staying in London is expensive. But I have staying in the "White House" a hotel near Regents Park which had good sized rooms and was centrally located. Apart from being called the "White House" - presumably amusing for Americans....it was also the place where some of the Profumo scandal was played out (for those not old enough to remember, he was a British Minister of state, who was caught bonking a lady who was also bonking a Russian Embassy official - presumably their tysts were at the White House.) Anyway, apart from that bit of trivia, London is great for photos. But I found it better to avoid the tourist sights, which tended to be crowded and I thought a little "over done." Try taking one of the many (and cheap) walking tours. For Rumpole of the Baily fans, I also found that a walk down Oxford street to Fleet steet and in to the "Inns of Court" where the Barristers have their Chambers was great for photo ops, then back along the Thames embankment. For Leica fans there is an added benefit. Just by the British Museum is a small side street (can't remember its name just now) with four or five camera shops grouped around a small courtyard- all specialising in classic cameras. Drool. Not cheap (esp. for Aussies given the state of the Australian Zloty) but tons of eye candy. I am sure if you are interested, someone else on this site can remember the details.

-- Peter (peterm1@ozemail.com.au), May 07, 2002.

re my last post, the London address of the group of classic camera shops is:- Pied Bull Yard, Bury Place, London WC1A 2JR, UK (Hope I am not giving away any secrets here!)

-- Peter (peterm1@ozemail.com.au), May 07, 2002.

Peter speaks truth here. The Pied Bull Yard is a veritable camera heaven, as indeed is much of that area of London. In the yard itself are The Classic Camera, a Leica specialist and also York Cameras, which is a very fine Canon pro dealer and Jessops Classic, which is worth a look. Come out of there and cross the road into Little Russell St., there is a small shop there, the name of which escapes me. At the far end you reach Museum St. There find the Museum Café; in the basement of the café is Aperture Photographic, a one-man operation run by a Japanese guy who has some very interesting stuff. Going the other way (eastwards) in Southampton Row are R.G. Lewis, another Leica stockist. In New Oxford St. are the big stores, Jessops and Jacobs (I prefer the latter). Near the top end of Tottenham Court Rd. is Kingsley Photographic (and a second Jessops), a good dealer with knowledgeable staff especially the Scottish guy. Further up Oxford St. in Wells St. is Cameraworld. If you're looking for photo books try Zwemmers in Charing Cross Rd.

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), May 07, 2002.

Hiya

I`ve worked in London most of my life. For God`s sake try to blend in with the natives. London is in my opinion a pretty safe city during normal hours but even when i go there during daytimes when not working and walking with my partner I keep my gear in an ordinary shoulder bag rather than a camera bag. I suppose it`s the same the world over but IMHO i think that north of the river Thames is a bit more touristy and safer. Me? I`m a cockney and keep my van doors locked once I get near to the centre. Don`t want to be alarmist but just be aware and enjoy your stay.

Dave C

-- Dave Chilvers (davechilvers@btinternet.com), May 08, 2002.

Bob: You should have a great trip but beware, early June can be rainy, particularly the more north you go. I would advise you to focus on the city life in London and York and the country life in the Lake district and Scotland. One extra stop for you and the family, Hadrian's wall between Scotland and England. Interesting and very photogenic. I would also buy a British Heritage pass as many sites accept it and you will save alot of money. Have fun.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), May 08, 2002.

There is often a very extensive photography exhibit (usually of a single photographers work) on display at the Barbican Centre in London. There is a charge for admission, so don't drag anyone along who doesn't really want to go. I also always go to the National Portrait Gallery, which includes a fair amount of photography on exhibit and is free. If you ever project slides, you might consider shootong a few rolls of Scala B/W slide film and have it processed at Joes's Basement (approximately same turnaround as E6).

-- Jim Lennon (jim@jmlennon.com), May 09, 2002.