Sorry to go off-topic, but I have some questions for our British collegues regarding a part of their country.
My wife and I are considering crossing the pond so she can attend a conference.
It would be in late March of '06.
The conference will be held NE of London near a village named Stow-On-Wold. That's in the Cotswolds.
I'm curious as to what the country is like from your perspectives (if you have one), and what kind of weather one might expect at that time of year.
I'm also considering renting a sports car the that weekend - maybe an Elise or Caterham - something British to be certain. This conference is no interest to me at all so I'll have to entertain myself during daylight hours. What better way to visit England for the first time than go tear-assing around the English countryside in an English, top-down roadster.
So anything within a 1/2 day from there that a car buff mind find interesting besides pubs serving warm beer? I am not opposed to checking out an RC meet in the area but won't bring a car.
Any of you guys live near there?
How much is gas right now?
What should I do to make certain I don't get my ass kicked when visiting local pubs. Are there any protocols I should be aware of before "bellying up to the bar" as we say. Would it be considered bad taste to order Guiness in that part of England? Do people in that part of the world hate Americans? Should I pretend to be Canadian? Or should I stay at the Inn and watch TV all day?
Oh hell, maybe I''ll just stay home.
Finally do any of you know where Portmeirion is (Wales) and how far it would be from where I'd be - thinking about an excursion with the wife after the conference