Derek and Maria got me a Harry Potter amigurumi crochet kit for Christmas. The Harry Potter doll turned out so cute that I decided to take him with me on my trip to the United Kingdom in January 2023. Here are some pictures and descriptions of his trip. (See my blog 12 Days Discovering the United Kingdom for more details.)
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| On the Peoria Charter bus to O'Hare Airport |
Day 1 & 2 on Monday & Tuesday, January 2 &3
We caught a Peoria Charter bus at Bradley University in Peoria for transport to O'Hare in Chicago. Our group had two connections before reaching the UK.
- O'Hare to Washington DC-Dulles on United airlines
- DC to Frankfort, Germany on a Lufthansa 747
- Frankfort to Edinburgh, Scotland on Lufthansa
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| In Frankfort, Germany |
Day 3 on Wednesday, January 4
On a walking tour of Edinburgh, Scotland there were several Harry Potter sites since JK Rowling wrote some of the Harry Potter books there. Harry visited...
- Greyfriars Kirkyard, where Lord Voldemort, Thomas Riddle, and McGonagall’s are buried, and
- The Elephant House where JK Rowling wrote early books.
He also walked past Victoria Street that some say was an inspiration for Diagon Alley.
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| Reading a gravestone in Greyfriars Kirkyard |
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| Closeup: Reading a gravestone in Greyfriars Kirkyard |
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At the base of a large cherry tree in Greyfriars Kirkyard
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| On the Elephant House door knob. |
Day 4 on Thursday, January 5
Traveled to York, England and visited Bamburgh Castle on the way.
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| On the coach at the Scotland-England border. |
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| Outside Bamburgh Castle. |
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| Inside Bamburgh Castle, with a view of the coastline. |
Day 5 on Friday, January 6
Walked through The Shambles in York, England. The Shambles Street is a narrow street with buildings that lean in towards each other that were originally used to hang meat outside. Today it is mostly shops and eateries, with lots of Harry Potter places and references. Some say this was the inspiration for Diagon Alley.
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| At the Shop That Must Not Be Named. |
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| Finding his wand in a shop. |
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| At the Potions shop, |
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| Found his broom in this shop. |
Day 6 on Saturday, January 7
Stayed at the Queens Hotel Best Western in Chester, England for two nights.
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| Sitting on the picture of King Richard III in the Queens Hotel. |
Had afternoon tea in the Pontcysyllte Chapel Tea Room near Llangollen, Wales. Situated close to the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the tearoom is in a converted chapel. Tea was served in vintage teacups. As is custom, our afternoon Tea included sandwiches (cut delicately into 'fingers'), scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cakes served on a three-tiered tea tray.
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| Having afternoon tea. |
Day 7 on Sunday, January 8
Explored Shakespeare's hometown in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
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| Visiting with Shakespeare. |
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| Closeup: Visiting with Shakespeare. |
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| Hedwig was in one a Stratford shop. |
Day 8 on Monday, January 9
Toured Oxford University on our way to London.
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| A campus town shop in Oxford. |
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Inside the Harry Potter shop.
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| On an Oxford building. |
Day 9 on Tuesday, January 10
We toured London all day, then attended a play that night.
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| Inside the White Tower in the Tower of London. |
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| At The Play That Goes Wrong |
Day 10 on Wednesday, January 11
We walked around London on our last day.
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| A Wizard shop in London. |
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| Enjoying sitting by the Thames in view of Parliament and Big Ben. |
Day 11 on Thursday, January 12
Traveled Home to Havana, IL.
More crocheted characters are in the works.
Other blogs about this trip:
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