Big Ben.
OK, it works.
My Redneck European Adventure
- Thread starter Dave N
- Start date
OK, it works.
We kept walking and soon got to the good part. The queen's house, Buckingham Palace.
Hardest part is remembering which pic I had!
We got there just in time for the changing of the guard. A band marched down the street and entered the gates. The guards march from another direction and went in as well. Then some women on horseback came down the street. All the groups were led my mounted police officers keeping traffic away.
Tourists were everywhere!
Wonder why this works when the others disappeared.
Not your ordinary everyday cop! Even the cops guarding other buildings carried H-Ks.
Yes, they DO exist! Some were red, some were black.
We toured the inside State Rooms of the Palace as well as the Gardens. Had to make the wife happy you know! Getting pretty tired, we stopped for dinner close to the tube and then took one last picture from the bridge over the river as it started to rain.
Hope these STAY up!
Yes, we both enjoyed ourselves on this trip. Lori was the one that brought up maybe meeting you on your trip. She really had fun talking with you both at your kitchen table. She said "wouldn't it be nice to see them again and catch up on OUR home turf?". I have WAY more vacation time at work than I will use, so taking a few days and driving west somewhere would be a nice break from work. Well, DUH! Of course it would! She also asked me to ask if Kath was on Facebook and I just now remembered it! Women and Facebook friends... I think all the tales about in-laws got them going!
We'll see how things go for next year. We're planning on going back to Alaska this same time period. If we met when you came over it would break up the wait until hunting starts. How many times can you get to catch up on things with someone that far away from home? Heck, we dang near even got KILLED together. Still don't know how we missed that tractor.
For those that don't know, the tractors in England run quite a bit faster than here in the states. I paced one at dang near 40! The evening hunt ended without a shot and we were headed back for home. NOBODY else was on the narrow road and Richard was moving along pretty good to get me back to my car so I could get back to the hotel. Maybe that's the way he always drives, but I'll just go with it! Hedges stood maybe 8 feet tall or so, and it was like driving through a tunnel. Taking a right hand curve we suddenly had lights from a large tractor appear. He was hauling butt pretty good. We passed each other on that narrow road and I have NO idea how close we came to hitting each other but it was way too close. I think we both took a few seconds for it to sink in before we said anything! Good thing we missed, no telling how bad that wreck would have been.
We'll see how things go for next year. We're planning on going back to Alaska this same time period. If we met when you came over it would break up the wait until hunting starts. How many times can you get to catch up on things with someone that far away from home? Heck, we dang near even got KILLED together. Still don't know how we missed that tractor.
For those that don't know, the tractors in England run quite a bit faster than here in the states. I paced one at dang near 40! The evening hunt ended without a shot and we were headed back for home. NOBODY else was on the narrow road and Richard was moving along pretty good to get me back to my car so I could get back to the hotel. Maybe that's the way he always drives, but I'll just go with it! Hedges stood maybe 8 feet tall or so, and it was like driving through a tunnel. Taking a right hand curve we suddenly had lights from a large tractor appear. He was hauling butt pretty good. We passed each other on that narrow road and I have NO idea how close we came to hitting each other but it was way too close. I think we both took a few seconds for it to sink in before we said anything! Good thing we missed, no telling how bad that wreck would have been.
Very cool thread and experience. Nice to see two Hunt Talkers end up having a great time in what seems like a far away place from the hinterlands of where I live. Obviously, Mrs. Fin has not seen this thread, or the heat would be on for me to follow your footsteps.
Thanks for sharing in such detail. As for your comment of this not being "anywhere near on your own," I think most would disagree. A lot of people help others in their hunts. I look at all the threads on the forum of people asking for input on a new spot and after the hunt we see pics of other Hunt Talkers who helped them out. This one will add a lot to those interested in a hunt like you had. Richard may end up being busier than he would like, if he continues to be so helpful.
Thanks for sharing in such detail. As for your comment of this not being "anywhere near on your own," I think most would disagree. A lot of people help others in their hunts. I look at all the threads on the forum of people asking for input on a new spot and after the hunt we see pics of other Hunt Talkers who helped them out. This one will add a lot to those interested in a hunt like you had. Richard may end up being busier than he would like, if he continues to be so helpful.
Thanks for the nice comment. Yep, I had a great time, and I think Richard had a bit of fun as well. There were more than a few comments on how folks liked to follow along, and I tried to tell as much as I could about our trip without becoming boring or repetitive. I hope I made it a bit easier if anyone was thinking about going over to the U.K. whether they were hunting or not. I'm more than willing to answer any questions. I now have a new friend, a new trophy on the wall regardless of it's size, and lots of pictures and memories. Roe deer are a very pretty and neat little critter. It will be hard to top this experience! One last thank you to Richard for making the initial offer to host someone, and for doing all that he did to try and make it a success. I say, well done, chap!
Richard, after burning the candle at both ends the first few days I managed to GAIN 4 pounds during our trip! Must have been all those English breakfasts. I still don't understand the baked beans! I've lost 2 pounds already even though we've been catching up on our "comfort foods". Lori has made a 2nd peach pie from our tree already as well as a few not so weight-loss friendly meals. Hope you are getting closer to your goal for this fall.
devon deer
Well-known member
That is the plan Randy, i hope to offer this again next year, sadly RMEF made it too complicated for me to offer my services to them, so unless anyone suggests another equally worthy cause such as the BHA, then they will benefit again.
That's the great thing about this site, making new friends, and i have made some friends thanks to it.
Keep an eye your weight buddy, it creeps back on, i am not a fan of baked beans in a cooked breakfast either!
My training is going ok, weight coming off, getting fitter, but achilles tendon a bit sore.
Cheers
Richard
Will you be doing a hunt thread for your trip? Thinking it's about time to be getting it all together for your journey! Best of luck to you!
devon deer
Well-known member
I think i am about ready, i thought i was fit enough until i went on a hike with my friend who is joining me, he is 20 years younger, and goes to the gym 6 days a week before he goes to work, what's that all about?!
I can't do a thread as i won't have internet access until i get to a wi-fi place, data on my cell phone is crazy expensive.
Might not be anything to report anyway!
Cheers
Richard
EnglishStalker
New member
I'm so glad that you had a successful and enjoyable time visiting our little island, that was a great old buck to take congratulations.
All the best
Matt
All the best
Matt
IDFireLass
Well-known member
DaveN, just found this thread and your story. What a wonderful deal for both you and your wife.
You know you could almost pass for Billy Connelly.
Your story has made me want to go even more. But the other half and I would totally be out of our comfort zone. Don't have time or money but at least dreaming is free.
You know you could almost pass for Billy Connelly.
Your story has made me want to go even more. But the other half and I would totally be out of our comfort zone. Don't have time or money but at least dreaming is free.
EnglishStalker
New member
There's an open invitation to come over and hunt for fallow and muntjac Randy.
devon deer
Well-known member
Sawtooth on here is booked in for 2017, provided i don't get eaten by a griz in a few weeks time i will offer the same deal again in 2018, so mixedbag shall i put your name in the hat when the time comes?
Cheers
Richard
Slowly getting my trip together. Planning on taking my wife and eighteen year old daughter along, so I am busy looking for things for them to do as well. We will be going to Ireland as well as southwest England for thirteen days. I will start a thread in the spring with more details. Richard and Dave have been a big help with their knowledge of the area, but if anyone else knows of some must see sights in western Ireland, I am all ears. Richard, good luck in Montana and give me a call if you tag out early.
I was reading another thread and the subject of BHA came up. It reminded me to look on their website for anything about my little adventure. Lo and behold, Richard had gotten a short story written up and it's online with a couple pictures to boot! Here is the link to it:
http://www.backcountryhunters.org/b...rk_on_behalf_of_america_s_public_lands_waters
Pretty nice! Thanks, Richard! Oh yes, I did eventually get some sleep!
That, and not hunting any further was part success and part wanting to make sure my wife had dinner with me for once! I left her alone WAY too long it seemed. Besides, what would I have done with another skull to take home? I had achieved my goal, mission accomplished!
http://www.backcountryhunters.org/b...rk_on_behalf_of_america_s_public_lands_waters
Pretty nice! Thanks, Richard! Oh yes, I did eventually get some sleep!
That, and not hunting any further was part success and part wanting to make sure my wife had dinner with me for once! I left her alone WAY too long it seemed. Besides, what would I have done with another skull to take home? I had achieved my goal, mission accomplished!
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