The UK 2017 Game Plan

Newsboy cap and Napier tartan scarf

So first let me start with the question of why the United Kingdom?  The simplest answer I can give is that it was about time for it. Jeanne and I have been to continental Europe several times by now – maybe eight if my count is correct – but we have never been to the UK together. I was in London for a night back in 1980 but that almost doesn’t count. The second consideration is that, at least for me, it is a trip back to the “mother country.” The Napier family is of Scottish origin and my mother’s family is English, so for me it is actually two mother countries. And after doing some research on the Napier family, I was able to pick out a few Napier-related sights to visit in Scotland, including spending a night in Culcreuch Castle which was once owned by a Napier ancestor.

In rough terms, this will be a 22-day trip starting on April 25 and returning on May 17. We fly to London and spend four nights there. After that we rent a car and spend three nights traveling north along the eastern side of England up to Edinburgh, Scotland. Three nights in Edinburgh, a couple more in the Scottish highlands (including the castle) and two in Glasgow.  From there we head south through the western side of England, through the English lake country to spend two nights in Liverpool. Then one night in Wales before spending the rest of the trip in the southern part of England and flying out again from London.

There are really too many activities planned for me to preview here, but let me just say that we are trying to hit as many of the high points as we can in one trip and will try to provide details in the daily blog.