#UKtrip – Page 2 – Over 50 Aussie female solo traveller USA road trip and beyond

The weather has been soooo cold I decided to take it easier today and explore Watford a little more. Do you feel the crispness in these photos? Even the locals have said it is cold. I cannot cope with cold below 20degrees Celsius. Today it got down to zero.

Watford is the home of Watford Football Club (The Hornets) which was owned by Elton John.

The sculpture of a Hornet is in High Street.

The roads are so narrow in places cars have to park partially on the footpath.

I planned my walk to conclude at the Load of Hay Pub for dinner. It was a lovely surprise to find they had free beef stew for patrons. It was so lovely to have a home cooked meal. The hospitality of the staff and patrons is exactly what I had heard to expect from UK pubs. Thank you Load of Hay.

I imagine most people would choose something very different for their first day in the UK. But, I am a little different. I took the Number 8 bus down the road from my airbnb, into Watford Junction (£3 one way and found out later that I can get an all day pass for £4), where a Harry Potter shuttle bus takes you to the studios.

Entry is £49.95 and seems a little steep, although the sets are very elaborate.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the people who dressed up in their favourite characters. Their joy at being at the studio was a pleasure to experience.

This gentleman oozed delight at being here

I spent 4 hours enjoying all the displays. It is fascinating to see how much work is involved to produce something like Harry Potter. Some of the memories of Harry Potter brought on tears. I remember going to the first movie with my friend Sue Biber. We were worried that the movie would not live up to the book. When the doors of the Great Hall opened, tears started in my eyes as they had captured the Hall exactly as I had expected. Today, walking into that Hall brought on those tears of joy once again.