Come-on Guys Get A Clue

 

This year I went to COTA for my 8th Formula One race, all at different circuits. Every race is a different experience and all have been great except Austin. Let me list my concerns.

• My first experience was when I received my tickets for the 3 days. I am showing 3 examples, Spa, Singapore and COTA. Spa and Singapore were either heavy cardboard or plastic with a lanyard that you could wear around your neck. COTA's ticket looked more like a movie ticket. 
• Next experience was how to get to the circuit. We opted to go with the shuttle buses. The first day, Friday, we stood in line for 1.5 hours just to get our wrist bands and then had to wait in line to board the bus. The wait was bad enough but on the way to the circuit but our driver got lost twice. The first time she tried to drop us off at a high school that was miles away from the circuit. The second day was better since we already had our wrist bands but still took a long time to get there as traffic was terrible. No special bus lanes. On the 3rd day we left what we thought of as extra early so we could watch the pre-race activities. The line to get on the bus was worse than the first day. In all it took us 3 hours to get there and we missed all re-race activities. Getting back was worse because there was no organized lines to board the buses. Most of us tried to make a line but others walked to the front and cut in front. Getting back to Austin took us 4 hours. 
• Now for the circuit itself. Like I said this was my 8th race (Monaco, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Spa, Australia, Silverstone and COTA). F1 is the best sport to follow as the races are all around the world in the most beautiful places. People travel from all corners of the planet to go to these races. I think of it as a chance to showcase the country and city they are in. I have no complaints about the circuit itself. We had great seats in turn 19 and could see a lot of the track. My problem was with the overall experience. This is an American race. The only things that showed me we were in Texas and America was a stage playing music, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the Speed Racer Car. There was a display of Ferrari's but the last time I looked Ferrari was Italian. Why not have American performance cars? I think we have a few. There was a carnival but are you going to a race or a fair? There was plenty of food and drink with some BBQ. When I went to Silverstone and Australia they had exhibits showed off their military that were unique to their country. I'm just saying, COTA missed a great opportunity to showcase America to people that are visiting the USA for the first time.

All I'm saying is we are better than this. Whoever is doing the planning could do a lot better job. Go to Silverstone and see how they use shuttle buses, go to other races and see how their race, country and city are promoted. Read your feedback, this was the 10th anniversary and negative feedback has been there for years. 

Springtime in Napa

 Just spent 6 days in Napa. The weather couldn't have been better with temps in the 70's and crowds were low even on the weekend. We were able to hit up a lot of wineries and came home with 5 cases of wine. Wineries visited were @BlackStallion , @Chappellet , @SilveradoVineyards , @Prisioner , and @Caymus.

If you live in Northern California, and you have driven to Napa to tour the wineries on the fly in the past, be careful. Almost all wineries require reservations as capacity is limited. You may be disappointed if you don't have a reservation. However, if you plan ahead this might be the best time ever to go since the crowds are low and the weather is perfect. 

We also had some fantastic meals on our stay. I would recommend @ColesChopHouse , @BistroDonGiovanni , @BistroJeanty and @Boonfly. 

One more thing. The best English muffins in the world are at the @ModelBakery . If you are in Napa stop by and pick up a package to bring home. It is over by the @OxbowPublicMarket. 

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)

Well it's time I started catching up on trips I haven't documented. Since travel is nixed for 2020 it will give me a chance to relive past experiences.

Last summer on my trek though England I spent a weekend in Stratford Upon Avon. One of my goals was to see a Shakespearean play in the birthplace of Shakespeare.  Before I left the USA I made a reservation to see Measure for Measure at the Royal Shakespeare Company. This is a play I had not heard of before so I did not know what to expect. 

"Measure for Measure is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604 where it was listed as a comedy, the play's first recorded performance occurred in 1604. The play's main themes include justice, "morality and mercy in Vienna", and the dichotomy between corruption and purity: "some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall". Mercy and virtue prevail, as the play does not end tragically, with virtues such as compassion and forgiveness being exercised at the end of the production. While the play focuses on justice overall, the final scene illustrates that Shakespeare intended for moral justice to temper strict civil justice: a number of the characters receive understanding and leniency, instead of the harsh punishment to which they, according to the law, could have been sentenced.
Measure for Measure is often called one of Shakespeare's problem plays. It continues to be classified as a comedy, however a dark one, though its tone may defy those expectations."

The RSC is located along the Avon in the main park in Stratford. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre opened in 1932 on the site adjacent to the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre (opened 19 April 1879), which had been destroyed by fire on 6 March 1926, and whose name it took. The architect was Elisabeth Scott, so the theatre became the first important work erected in Britain from the designs of a woman architect. It was renamed the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 1961, following the establishment of the Royal Shakespeare Company the previous year. It has since then been remodeled which included the creation of a new 1040+ seat, thrust stage auditorium which brings actors and audiences closer together, with the distance of the furthest seat from the stage being reduced from 27 metres (89 ft) to 15 metres (49 ft). They also added an array of new public spaces, including a new Riverside Cafe and Rooftop Restaurant, a 36-metre (118 ft) observation tower with fantastic views. 

I purchased my seat in the 3rd row center which was awesome but from looking around it didn't look like there was a bad seat. 

The play itself had a great plot and the acting was spectacular. I wanted to especially call out Lucy Phelps for her portrayal of Isabella. 

I only have one regret. The theatre has a rooftop restaurant with incredible views of the area along the Avon. I didn't have a reservation so I couldn't eat there. On the bright side, Stratford has hundreds of restaurants within walking distance and I found a nice one to eat dinner before the play. 

Churchill War Room

During WWII England utilized an underground bunker not far from Parliament to conduct the war. The high command of the British military planed for the defense of Britain and also campaigns around the globe. Many also had living quarters there as they would spend days underground. After the war it was sealed up. In 1984 it was reopened to the public and is now a museum and part of the Imperial War Museum.. Most of what you see is how it was left in 1945.

Walking the war rooms you can see maps showing allied and axis positions and ship locations from around the world. You can also see Churchill's sleeping quarters as well those of other high ranking people. Conditions must have been bad down there as some people opted to sleep above even during the bombing of London.

I would suggest you buy your tickets ahead of time as you will get right in. The lines for those purchasing tickets there can be long. It is on Horse Guards Road not far from Parliament and is worth seeing.

British Grand Prix, Silverstone

I was lucky enough this year to go to the British Grand Pix at Silverstone which has been hosting the race since 1948. I have been trying to attend a different F1 race every year and this one was my 7th. Silverstone is the site of a RAF base and has a lot of history.

View from my seat

I went to the race decked out in my Red Bull gear and there was representation from every team but you could tell that most were for Louis Hamilton, not necessarily for Mercedes. If you don't already know Hamilton is British. Louis didn't disappoint as he and Mercedes won the race and are running away with the championship this year.

Here are some helpful hints

• Buy your tickets early. I ended up getting mine from a third party site.
• Don't drive to the circuit. I drove to the railway station in Northampton where I parked and took the shuttle from there. The same can be done at the Milton Keyes station. After the race the buses are lined up and you hop on your bus destination and as soon as it fills up it leaves. Otherwise traffic is backed up with people trying to drive out. 
• For the 3 days of the race stay anywhere close to Northampton or Milton Keyes and drive or taxi to the railway station each day.
• On race day get there early as there is a lot of pre-race entertainment.  

Stratford Upon Avon

Park at Stratford Upon Avon

Toward the end of my week in England I was looking for a place to go after York and before the F1 race in Silverstone. I had a lot of options and decided to visit the birthplace of Shakespeare.

Shakespeare's Home

Shakespeare's Grave

First impression is if you want to see history and at the same time relax in a peaceful location this is the place to go. Stratford has many pubs and restaurants as well as a beautiful park along the Avon. It is an easy walk from the house where Shakespeare grew up to the church where he is buried. I was there on a Saturday and there were concerts in the park as well as outside plays in other areas of the park. It was nice to just sit down with some ice cream and take in the sites and sounds.

Canal Cruise

For meals you won't have a problem finding a place to eat. You can find anything from new establishments to pubs dating back hundreds of years. If you get off the main streets you can find a nice quiet place on a side street.

I would recommend taking a canal tour on one of the boats. The views are beautiful and the ride is peaceful. They leave from the park area and last about 40 minutes.

Royal Shakespeare Company Theater

That night I made reservations to see The Royal Shakespeare Company performing Measure for Measure at the Royal Shakespeare Company theater. I would say it is a must do if you are in Stratford.  I wanted to eat dinner on the rooftop restaurant at the theater but found out I needed a reservation even for one person. Next time I'll know better. The play was awesome.

York, England

City Gates

Main Gate

On a recent trip to England I visited London, York and Stratford-Upon-Avon. They were all beautiful, rich with history and exciting. My favorite though was York which had so much to offer in a small package.

York was founded by the Romans and declared the Roman capital of Britannia. Constantine the First died in York during a stay and his son Constantine the Great was proclaimed emperor by the troops stationed there. Later after the Romans left it was under various British kings until it was invaded by the Vikings. It was the Viking capital of Britain and got it's name Jorvik which later became York.

York is a beautiful walled in city and you can actually take steps up to the top of the wall and walk around the city. Inside the city walls it is very easy to walk everywhere and take in the history, shopping, pubs and restaurants. The York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. Also inside the walls is the Jorvik Viking experience. You go under ground where the Viking settlement was discovered. The experience is great with a ride that reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland. At the end of the ride is a museum with artifacts dug up in the area. Cliffords Tower is a great place to view the city. It was part of the York Castle and dates back to William I in the 11th century. I would also suggest taking a river cruise on the Ouse. It is relaxing and a great way to view the surrounding countryside.

Clifford Tower

River Ouse

York Minster

York Minster

York has something for everyone from history to shopping to refreshments to entertainment. It is mostly confined within the walls and very easy to get around. In one day you could walk the city. there are parks, pubs and restaurants to stop and relax when you need a break.