Category Archives: General magpie travel

London Tube strike updates – February 2014

Sorry about slacking off the last couple of weeks with the Tube closures. Working on my blog with my tablet while on vaca can be a real pain, so I skipped it these past two weekends. Today and next Tuesday, … Continue reading

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Winter in Europe

Just a quick update… I’ve just come from 5 days in London, where I saw two plays, a ballet and the French Property show. Also spent a day out in the countryside with a friend where we played with birds … Continue reading

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London Tube closures weekend of 18-19 January 2014

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend.  All are in effect for the entire weekend unless stated otherwise. Note Embankment announcement at the bottom… District line – Sunday – Turnham Green to Richmond Metropolitan line – Wembley Park to … Continue reading

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London Tube closures weekend of 11-12 January 2014

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend.  All are in effect for the entire weekend unless stated otherwise. Note Embankment announcement at the bottom… District line – Aldgate East to Barking Hammersmith & City – Liverpool Street to Barking Metropolitan line … Continue reading

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London Tube closures weekend of 4-5 January 2014

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend.  And a Happy New Year! Bakerloo line – Sunday only – Stonebridge Park to Harrow & Wealdstone  Jubilee line – Sunday only – Waterloo to Finchley Road until 1100 Northern – early Sunday morning – Camden Town … Continue reading

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winter walks around Britain

From the London Independent. Ten ideas for winter walks of varying lengths around Britain, from Wales and Cornwall to London and Scotland. I went on a woodsy walk in the Ashdown Forest (#8) years ago with Dad. It wasn’t quite … Continue reading

Posted in All Suzanne's travels, England, General magpie travel, London travel, News from Britain, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The long skinny on London’s Circle Line

I found this online article explaining the history, problems and dreams regarding the Circle Line, one of London’s most useful Tube lines, especially if you’re the sort of person who wants to avoid changing trains as much as possible between point … Continue reading

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Higgins Armory Museum closes and an old memory reawakens

The Higgins Armory Museum, in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been in existence for more than eighty years. It is basically one man’s collection of armor, weapons, clothing, stained glass and banners in a reproduction Gothic setting spread across several floors in … Continue reading

Posted in All Suzanne's travel essays, European art, General magpie travel, US travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

craft beermaking growing in Germany

From France 24. The craft beer trend so well-established in the US has come to Germany. This could require some essential on-site research in the near future!

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lots of New Zealand wine from 2013 harvest

From France 24. New Zealand expects a bumper wine crop this year. No mention of the quality; I wonder how it will play out against other years? I’ve gotten hooked on NZ Sauvignon Blancs in the past couple of years. … Continue reading

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tolls on foreign cars possible on German roads

From Deutsche Welle. There’s a possibility that foreign cars will be singled out to pay tolls on German roads by 2015. I assume rental cars will get caught in that net, but we’ll have to wait and see. I don’t … Continue reading

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London travel updates for the 2013-14 holidays

Transport for London (TfL) has issued its notices for closures and other changes which cover the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The only closure for this weekend (21-22 Dec) is the Sunday closure of the Waterloo and City line; why … Continue reading

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High speed rail link between Paris and Barcelona

From France 24. Great news for train lovers – a faster train connection between Barcelona and Paris has just opened. Fast is kinda relative; not so much cutting off tons of time (only 20 minutes faster than previously) as eliminating a … Continue reading

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London Tube closures weekend of 14-15 Dec 2013

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend. Snoozing towards the holidays. Northern line – early Sunday morning only – Camden Town to Edgware  DLR – Canning Town to Beckton London Overground – Sunday – Sydenham to Crystal Palace Edgware Rd station is scheduled … Continue reading

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Roman road found in Utrecht, Netherlands

From Dutch News. A road dating from Roman times has been dug up in central Utrecht while building work was being carried out. Ancient Roman ruins don’t immediately come to mind as elements of Dutch history, which makes the news … Continue reading

Posted in Archaeology in Europe, BeNeLux, European art, European museums, General magpie travel, Netherlands travel, News from Europe | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

London Tube closures weekend of 7-8 Dec 2013

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend. Quieter and quieter. Weds, 4 Dec through Sunday on London Tramlink – Sandilands to New Addington Northern line – early Sunday morning only – Camden Town to Edgware DLR – Sunday only – Bank/Tower … Continue reading

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Czech National Gallery to return monastic artwork

From Prague Post. Several extremely valuable and important paintings that have been living in the Czech National Gallery will be returned to their monastic owners according to restitution law. However, they won’t be going anywhere for at least ten years … Continue reading

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Dutch railways removing yellow timetable boards

From Dutch News. The giant yellow timetable signboards have been a hallmark of Dutch rail stations for ages. Nowadays, with so many passengers checking the up-to-the-minute digital signs or using online apps for trip planning, the yellow timetables have been … Continue reading

Posted in Amsterdam travel, BeNeLux, General magpie travel, Netherlands travel, News from Europe | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A new market in Sheffield aims to be the Borough Market of the North

From the London Independent. The first outdoor food market in ten years opens in Sheffield. Will it have the quality, variety and appeal of London’s Borough Market? Time will tell. Not what you’d call an easy visit from London, but if … Continue reading

Posted in England, Europe food & wine, General magpie travel, News from Britain, not really travel, UK news | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Cold War era bunker opened at Prague hotel

From Prague Post. Prague’s Jalta Hotel has opened its top-secret Communist-era bunker to interested visitors two days each week. Admission is €3. Pre-booking is required. This should be on the list for your/my next visit. Join the queue!

Posted in Archaeology in Europe, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, European museums, General magpie travel, News from Europe, Prague travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Top (mini) mince pies for 2013 – yummm!

From the London Independent. If you’re hanging around London for the Xmas holidays, here’s a handy list of packaged (mini) mince pies to top off your holiday meal/s!

Posted in England, Europe food & wine, General magpie travel, London travel, News from Britain, not really travel, UK news | Tagged , | Leave a comment

London Tube closures weekend of 29 Nov – 1 Dec 2013; 2015 to see 24 hour w/e service

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend. Very quiet! See the last link for plans in 2015. Central line – Sunday only – Chancery Lane eastbound and westbound Northern line – early Sunday only – Camden Town to Edgware London Overground – Clapham … Continue reading

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Champagne vending machine in London

An excerpt from a London Independent article on eating lobster described a fabulous (non-seafood) sighting in Selfridges, the London department store. To wit – = = = = The convenience of instant luxury crystals I love the idea of the … Continue reading

Posted in Europe food & wine, General magpie travel, London travel, News from Britain, not really travel, UK news | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Great pizza in Oxford

From Oxford Mail. Sounds too good to be true – a Milanese is pulling them in with his pizza and calzones at the White Rabbit, Oxford. The place used to be the Gloucester Arms. Maybe give it a try next … Continue reading

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London Tube closures weekend of 23-24 Nov 2013 – corrected link

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend. Bakerloo line – Sunday only – Stonebridge Park to Harrow & Wealdstone  District line -Whitechapel to West Ham Central line – Mile End station both days. Sunday only – Chancery Lane platform, both directions Hammersmith/City … Continue reading

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Ice rinks around England and Wales

From London Independent. A short list of the ten best ice rinks from (mostly) London to Cornwall, Manchester to Cardiff. Another winter sport that’s beyond my current fitness abilities. I might be able to do it again if the ice … Continue reading

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London Tube closures weekend of 16-17 Nov 2013

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend. Bakerloo line – Sunday only – Stonebridge Park to Harrow & Wealdstone  District line – Turnham Green to Ealing Broadway, same as last w/e Central line – Sunday only – Chancery Lane eastbound and westbound Piccadilly … Continue reading

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Ryanair makes some changes

From London Telegraph. Some changes to Ryanair, hoping to combat their crappy customer service reputation. Time will tell if it’ll be enough. I’ve never been anxious to try them. Make sure you read the tail-end of the story, with a … Continue reading

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Travel mindset advice from Rick Steves

From Rick’s email news. Rick Steves is one of my favorite travel guys, especially since his primary focus is Europe. Here is a great description of one facet of his travel philosophy. Take it in and add it to your … Continue reading

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London Tube closures weekend of 9-10 Nov 2013

Here are the Tube closures for this weekend. Special announcement for Saturday –   The Lord Mayor’s Show will take place in the City and central London during the day. This will be followed by fireworks on the river between Blackfriars … Continue reading

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