EVENTS CALENDAR

CALENDAR OF SELECTED EVENTS

JUNE-JULY 2013

Festivals, Holidays, Country Fairs, Sporting Events,
Theater, Cultural Gatherings, and Special Performances
Happening Near HOME AT FIRST Lodgings throughout
BRITAIN, IRELAND,

SCANDINAVIA,

NEW ZEALAND, & BERMUDA
Information about HOME AT FIRST’s travel program to:
LONDON ENGLAND SCOTLAND WALES IRELAND SCANDINAVIA NEW ZEALAND BERMUDA

NOTE: For many of the LONDON events listed, HOME AT FIRST guests at the
Apartments at St. Katharine’s Marina and at The Brewery Apartments
will take public transportation from the Tower Hill Underground Station,
8-10 minutes walk from St. Katharine’s Marina and 10-12 minutes
walk (or a 5-minute bus ride) from The Brewery.

– ONGOING EVENTS OF NOTE –

Ongoing daily
LONDON, ENGLAND - THE TOWER OF LONDON: “Prisoners of the Tower”
HOME AT FIRST’s London guests can’t miss visiting their famous neighbors who were incarcerated and may have met their violent and often gruesome ends at the Tower of London. This special exhibition focuses on the best-known prisoners, including explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, Queen Anne Boleyn, Queen Catherine Howard, Lady (& Queen for a few days) Jane Grey, Nazi leader Rudolph Hess, and terrorist traitor Guy Fawkes, among others.

THE TOWER OF LONDON AT THE TRAITOR'S GATE.
Photo © Home At First

LOCATION: The Tower of London is just west of the Tower Bridge between the River Thames and Tower Hill Underground Station north of the river.
ADMISSION: £21.45/adult, £18.15/seniors & students (16 & up), £10.75/child (5-15), £57.20/family (up to 2 adults & 3 kids).
OPEN DURING MARCH-OCTOBER: Tu-Sa: 9AM-5:30PM; Su-Mo: 10AM-5:30PM. Last admission: 5PM.

GETTING THERE: walk 10 minutes traffic-free from HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON apartments at St. Katharine’s Marina or 12 minutes (with minimal traffic) across the Tower Bridge from HOME AT FIRST’s apartments at The Brewery.
MORE INFO, see: TOWER OF LONDON

Ongoing, evenings from 9:30PM-10:05PM
LONDON, ENGLAND - THE TOWER OF LONDON
“The Ceremony of the Keys”
700-year-old ceremony of the locking of the main gate of the Tower of London carried out each evening by the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower accompanied by an escort of guards. Passes are essential and must be obtained
in advance upon written application. Tickets for this ancient ceremony are available to the public, free of charge.

Applications should be made in writing to:
Ceremony of the Keys Office
Tower of London
London EC3N 4AB Great Britain

Do so at least two months in advance (three months for June-August). List number and names of all those wishing to attend, date requested plus one alternative date, and enclose a self-addressed envelope or a minimum of two "Coupon-response international" (ICRs). (NB: as an extraordinary service to American visitors whose US Postal Service no longer offers International Coupons of Response,

Yeoman of the Guard at The Tower of London's Main Western Gate. Photo © Home At First.

YEOMAN OF THE GUARD at
THE TOWER OF LONDON'S
MAIN WESTERN GATE
Photo © Home At First

the Tower of London will place proper postage at its expense on your reply envelope. On-line booking will become available later this year.) Otherwise, currently no phone, e-mail, or fax orders will be accepted. Maximum Group Size: 6 persons April-October; 15 persons November-March.
LOCATION: The Tower of London main (western) entrance.

ADMISSION: free!

NOTES: Visitors must be in possession of the original ticket issued by the Tower of London at entry. Photography not permitted. No bathrooms or refreshments available.
GETTING THERE: walk 10 minutes traffic-free from HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON apartments at St. Katharine’s Marina or 12 minutes from HOME AT FIRST’s apartments at The Brewery.
MORE INFO, see: CEREMONY OF THE KEYS

Ongoing, daily from 10AM-6PM
LONDON, ENGLAND - THE MUSEUM OF LONDON
Nine Free Galleries Cover a Half-Million Years of London
London’s best museum offers nine galleries with permanent exhibitions covering the human history of London chronologically from about 450,000BC through Roman times, the medieval period through the Tudor Dynasty, the Civil War, Great Fire and Bubonic Plague of the 17th century, the expansion of London during the growth of the Empire, the twentieth century World War years, up to the modern age when London became a world city.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION COMING: The Cheapside Hoard: London's Lost Jewels. Dug up in the Cheapside neighborhood of the City of London during construction 100 years ago, the Cheapside Hoard is a fabulous collection of jewelry from the late-Tudor (Queen Elizabeth I) and early- Stuart (King James I) times: late-16th and early-17th centuries. The ostentatious baubles reflect a heady time when Great Britain first became a world power. The collection has not been displayed in its entirety for a century. Many questions remain, e.g. whose collection was it?

Exhibition runs October 11, 2013 to April 27, 2014.

The Museum of London covers all aspects of London's long history including the City's rich architectural history. Shown is London's 13th century church of St. Helen's of Bishopsgate with its 21st century skyscraping neighbor, the Swiss Re "Gherkin". Photo © Home At First.

The Museum of London
covers all aspects of
London's long history
including the City's rich architectural history.
Shown is London's 13th
century church of St.
Helen's of Bishopsgate
with its 21st century skyscraping neighbor,
the Swiss Re "Gherkin".
Photo © Home At First

LOCATION: Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN.
ADMISSION: Free to the museum & its galleries. Special exhibitions often require admission.
GETTING THERE: From HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON apartments walk 5-12 minutes to the Tower Hill Underground Station. Take the Circle Line north 9 minutes to Barbican station, then
walk 9 minutes to the museum. Total transit & walking time: 23-28 minutes.
MORE INFO, see: MUSEUM OF LONDON.

Ongoing daily from 10AM
NORTHERN COTSWOLDS - WARWICKSHIRE, WESTERN ENGLAND
“Events at Medieval Warwick Castle”
England’s greatest show castle offers a variety of events:

• Kingmaker’s Medieval Banquet: June 15, July 20, August 3 (call to reserve).
• Grand Castle Interiors (daily): Explore the grandly furnished public halls, state rooms, and
   private apartments of Warwick Castle.
• The Castle Grounds (daily): Explore the conservatory & peacock garden, the original Norman
   castle mound, the Victorian rose garden, the River Avon and its island menagerie.
• The Trebuchet & Ballista, the Artillery Fort, and the Towers & Ramparts (daily): Warwick’s own
   massive catapult is modelled on the medieval siege machines that once flung rocks, manure,
   and dead pigs across castle walls. Warwick’s Artillery Fort shows how cannons were used to
   protect the castle at the end of the Middle Ages. See the war machines in operation specific
   dates/times.
• Merlin - The Dragon Tower (daily): based on the popular show, the fictional adventures of
   Briton's greatest medieval magician include an encounter with a monstrous dragon.
• Warwick Dungeon (daily): Warwick’s newest attraction recreates the medieval dungeon from
   the time the Great Plague ravaged Warwick in 1345. The haunting, live-action experience is
   not for the faint hearted. An additional charge applies.
• The Princess Tower (daily): up the spiral stairs to the chambers of medieval princesses.
• Jousting: Knights with lances on horseback return to Warwick Castle July 20 through August.
See WARWICK CASTLE website for complete listing of events, times & dates.

THE ORIGINAL 11TH CENTURY NORMAN CASTLE HILL: ETHELFLEDA'S MOUND VIEWED FROM A LATER TOWER AT WARWICK CASTLE.
Zach Elwell Photo © Home At First

LOCATION: in Warwick, about 45 minutes NE of HOME AT FIRST’s Northern Cotswolds cottages in an around Chipping Campden. (Hint: you may want to combine a visit to Warwick Castle with a visit to nearby Stratford-upon-Avon,
Shakespeare’s home town.)
GETTING THERE: From HOME AT FIRST’S NORTHERN COTSWOLDS cottages, drive north on the B4632 to Stratford, then follow the A439 north to the A46 and the A429 into Warwick. Watch for signs for the castle.
OPEN DAILY: 10AM-5PM June 2-July 19.

OPEN DAILY: 10AM-6PM July 20 through August.

CASTLE ADMISSION: £22.80/adult, £16.80/seniors, £15.60/child 4-16,
   £69/family (2 adults plus up to 2 kids).
CASTLE + DUNGEON ADMISSION: £28.20/adult, £24/seniors, £23/child,
   £97.20/family.
CASTLE + MERLIN & DRAGON TOWER ADMISSION: £24.60/adult,
   £19.80/seniors, £18.60/child, £82.20-£99.60/family.
WHOLE KINGDOM ADMISSION: £30.60/adult, £27/seniors, £25.80/child,
   £107.40/family.
PARKING: Car lot parking from £5-£8.
MORE INFO, see: WARWICK CASTLE

Ongoing Daily
YORK CITY - NORTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND “Yorkwalks”
Guided walks through interesting parts of the medieval walled city of York offer exercise, culture, and entertainment. Standard walks offered at 10:30AM and 2:15PM (daily February–November; weekends only in December & January) from the menu of “Roman York”, “Secret York”, “Essential York”, and the popular

	“Snickleways” tours of York’s narrow back alleys. At evenings and other times Yorkwalks offer rare opportunities to see parts of York never open to the public, like their “Inaccessible & Hidden York: Graveyard, Coffin, & Crypt Tour”, “Historic Inns and Pubs Tour”, and “Choccy & Sweetie Tour”. Who wouldn’t want to wear sensible shoes on their next visit to Olde Yorke? LOCATION: Museum Garden Gates, Museum Street, York.
	GETTING THERE: HOME AT FIRST NORTH YORKSHIRE guests drive 30-60 minutes to York. Park outside the city gates (MEDIEVAL CENTRAL YORK has very little parking) and walk or take a shuttle bus into the old city. ADMISSION: £6/adults, £5/students/kids 5-15. Supplement charged for any tours requiring entrance to York Minster. MORE INFO & COMPLETE SCHEDULE: YORKWALK

Ongoing, daily at different times

LONDON, ENGLAND

LONDON THEATRE: “What’s Playing?”

• “One Man, Two Guvnors”:
Looking for true British theatrical comedy that took Broadway by storm? Following its huge success in London, "One Man, Two Guvnors" went to New York in late-April, where James Corden (the play's original lead in London) promptly won the Toni Award for Best Actor. The play — loaded with British slapstick and verbal humor — is based on on an 18th century Italian comedy, but transdated to 1963 Brighton, England. Expect a tour de farce from its extraordinary

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE IN LONDON.

cast who mince reality in this remarkable mix-up. At
the Haymarket Theatre Royal, on Haymarket just south of Coventry St, one block east of Piccadilly Circus, Soho. Performances through March 1, 2014.
Piccadilly Circus tube. Rating: Probably not for kids. Prices from £15.

• “Phantom of the Opera”: long running Gothic musical. Performances through at least
      April 26, 2014 at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket near Piccadilly Circus tube.
      Rating: Family. Prices from £21.

• “The Mousetrap”: Agatha Christie’s record-running mystery continues through at least
      December 21, 2013 at St. Martin’s Theatre, Drury Lane, Covent Garden.
      Leicester Square tube. Rating: Family. Prices from £16.60.

• “The 39 Steps”: silly, enduring thriller with Hitchcock roots. Performances through
      December 31, 2015 at Criterion Theatre, Jermyn St., near Piccadilly Circus tube.
        Rating: Family. Prices from £10.

• “Wicked”: musical prequel about the witches of “The Wizard of Oz”. Performances through
      at least April 26, 2014 at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Rd.
    Victoria tube. Rating: Family. Prices from £15.

• “Monty Python's Spamalot”: Comic-farce as nostalgic revival. Former Monty Python
      trooper Eric Idle is the fool responsible for this foolishness, suggesting that his career began
      and ended with Monty Python. He's betting his audience hasn't changed either.
      Performances run through at least November 2, 2013. At the Playhouse Theatre,
      Northumberland St. just west of Embankment Station. Embankment tube.
        Rating: Late-teens and up. Prices from £20.

• “The Lion King”: Long-running blockbuster with spectacular staging though at least
      January 5, 2014, at the Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington St. at the Strand.
        Temple tube (closed Sundays). Rating: Family. Prices from £20.

• “Les Miserables”: Victor Hugo’s story about the tragedies of life and indomitable human
     spirit continues its long run (since 1985) to continuous critical acclaim. Performances through
      at least April 30, 2014 at Queen’s Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave., Soho, between Piccadilly
      Circus and Charing Cross Road. Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus Tube. Musical.
        Rating: older teens & adults. Prices from £15.

• “Matilda”: Roald Dahl’s children’s book about a little girl with a big imagination is staged
      in London by the Royal Shakespeare Company as a musical hit appealing to adults and
      kids. Performances through December 22, 2013 at the Cambridge Theatre, Earlham St,
      Soho. Piccadilly Circus Tube. Musical. Rating: Family. Tickets from £20.

• “Billy Elliot, the Musical”: Musical adaptation of the movie about a sensitive boy from
      a British mining town who wants to be a dancer. The story is something of a parable about
      post-industrial society, only sweeter and lighter. Elton John’s music is perfect.
      Performances through at least December 31, 2013 at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria
      Street opposite Victoria Station. Victoria tube, then cross Victoria St.
      Rating: tweeners and up (due to swearing). Prices from £19.50.

• “Shakespeare at the Globe”: Shakespeare's plays performed in a authentically
      recreated Globe Theatre was the dream of American director/actor Sam Wanamaker. When
      it opened in 1996 on London's South Bank within a quarter mile of the site of the original
      Globe, Wanamaker's thatch and plaster copy became an instant sensation, attracting visitors
      from around the world and helping transform the derelict warehouse district into a major
      tourist attraction and British cultural hub. Each year the New Globe schedules a series of
      performances that includes at least a few by the Bard of Stratford. This year's performance
      season begins with three classics:
    • "The Tempest": One of Shakespeare's last plays (c. 1610), "The Tempest" is as
      symbolically uncertain as it is moving. Shakespeare was likely very aware of the 1609
      storm-forced shipwreck of an English colonial resupply ship on an uninhabited mid-Atlantic
      island. Most of the crew and passengers survived and were rescued from the island, which
      became the British colony of BERMUDA. The play is about loss, recovery, and deliverance,
      about love, survival, and the mysteries of life. Runs through August 18, 2013.

    • "A Midsummer Night's Dream": A classic Comedy/Fantasy/Romance with lots of
      Shakespearean apps: fairies, mixed-up lovers, and a play-within-the-play. Several roles are
      made for scene-stealing as even minor characters get big laughs. Runs May 24 to October
      12, 2013.

    • "Macbeth": Violence, malevolence, and ambition bring down Scottish royalty. The rise and
      fall of Macbeth is predicted by future-seeing witches, but the audience can read the signs
      without supernatural assistance. So could the treacherous nobility of the Jacobean court.
      Runs from June 22 through October 13, 2013.

    • Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT, just east of
      the Tate Modern museum and across the Millennium (Wobbly) footbridge from St. Paul's
      Cathedral. Tube to Cannon Street, St. Paul's, London Bridge, or Borough, then walk about
      10 minutes to the theatre. Rating: teens & older. Tickets from £15-£39 (£12-£36 for
        children under 18; Family rate: £110-£135; Standing Space: £5.)

ADMISSION: Full-priced tickets from £10-£100 (not cheap, but often better than Broadway).
TICKETS: Order your tickets in advance on-line via LONDON TOWN. Pick them up at the theatre on the day of performance. Discount tickets available!
GETTING THERE: From HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON apartments walk 5-12 minutes to the Tower Hill or London Bridge Underground Station, then take the District, Circle, or Jubilee Line west.
• Covent Garden and South Bank Theatres: Within 10 minutes are most of the tube stops
   convenient for Covent Garden and South Bank theatres (Mansion House, Temple,
   Embankment, Southwark, Waterloo, Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus).
• For West End theatres in Soho: From Tower Hill tube take the District Line 6 stops & 10 minutes
   to Embankment station. From London Bridge tube take the Jubilee Line west to Waterloo. At
   Embankment or Waterloo, change to the Northern Line (direction Edgeware) and travel north to
   Leicester (“Lester”) Square or to Tottenham Court Road.
• For West End theatres near Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Circus: From Tower Hill tube take the
   District Line west 6 stops and 10 minutes to Embankment. From London Bridge tube take the
   Jubilee Line west to Waterloo. At Embankment or Waterloo change to the Bakerloo Line north
   to Piccadilly Circus or to Oxford Circus.
• For theatres near Waterloo station: From Tower Hill tube take the District Line 6 stops and 10
   minutes west to Embankment station, then change to the Northern Line south one stop to
   Waterloo. From London Bridge tube take the Jubilee Line west one stop to Southwark tube or
   two stops to Waterloo tube.
• Total transit & walking time from Tower Hill or London Bridge Underground Stations to almost
   any theatre in London’s six principal theatre regions (Barbican, South Bank/Bankside, Covent
   Garden, Soho, Oxford Circus, Sloane Square): less than 30 minutes.

Ongoing – Weekdays only 10AM-5PM
LONDON – The Bank of England Museum
“The £ in Your Pocket”
One of the fun, free, funky museums of London. It doesn’t sound like it would be, but this museum is great fun for kids of all ages. Ongoing Monday-Friday (except holidays): special exhibition of “The Pound in Your Pocket” – the story of British money and, specifically, of monetary inflation. Doesn’t sound like a subject your kids would enjoy, right? The museum — using jigsaw puzzles, balloons, gold bars, old coins, and touch-screen computers —sees to it that they will!
LOCATION: Bank of England Museum, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH.
GETTING THERE: From HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON apartments walk 5-12 minutes to the Tower Hill Underground Station, then take the District or

the pound in your pocket image

LEAVE IT TO THE FINANCIAL CAPITAL OF
LONDON TO MAKE BANKING FUN FOR KIDS!
Courtesy The Bank of England Museum

Circle Line west 1 stop & 2 minutes to Monument station, then walk 5 minutes through the maze of tunnels following signs for Bank station. Emerge from Bank Underground, walk across the street to the Royal Exchange, with its colonnaded portico, and walk up Threadneedle Street one-half block. Cross Threadneedle Street at Bartholomew Lane. Walk up Bartholomew Lane on the left (west) side of the street. The Bank of England Museum entrance is mid-way up the block, and poorly marked on the left side. Total transit & walking time: less than 20 minutes.
ADMISSION: Free!
OPEN: Mo-Fr 10AM-5PM. Closed weekends and bank holidays.
MORE INFO, see: BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

Thursdays 11:30AM-3PM thru Oct. 3
Saturdays 11AM-4:30PM thru Oct. 5
DUBLIN IRELAND – Christ Church Cathedral
“Christchurch Open-Air Market”
Outdoor markets on the grounds of Dublin’s historic Christ Church Cathedral – which traces its roots nearly 1,000 years – probably the most important church of the Church of Ireland. The markets feature more than 20 food stalls plus live jazz before noon until at least 3PM every Thursday and Saturday through the first week of October, 2013.

Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral. Photo courtesy www.christchurchdublin.ie.

Dublin's Christ CHURCH CATHEDRAL.
Photo courtesy www.christchurchdublin.ie.

LOCATION: Christchurch Place, in central Dublin city.

ADMISSION: to the market: free. To visit the cathedral: €6/adult, €4.50/senior, €4.50/students 16+, €2/Children under 15, €15/Family (2A+2C).
GETTING THERE: From Home At First’s nearest Dublin Apartments, walk two blocks east along Cook St, then one block south on Winetavern St.
MORE INFO, see CHRISTCHURCH OPEN-AIR MARKET.

Every Saturday starting sometime after 7PM

Terryglass , No. Co. Tipperary, Central Ireland

“Trad Music Sessions at The Derg Inn”

The weekly live music session is the only way to improve the music and atmosphere at The Derg Inn in Terryglass. Food available until 10PM. The music could last all evening.

LOCATION: The Derg Inn, on the square, Terryglass.

GETTING THERE: From Home At First’s cottages in CENTRAL IRELAND, follow the R493 to Terryglass village near the northern end of Lough Derg. Home At First guests staying at Terryglass-area cottages are just 1.5 miles from the inn.

ADMISSION: none.

MORE INFO: THE DERG INN.

Terryglass village with Paddy's Pub (left) and the Derg Inn (center). Photo © Home At First.

TERRYGLASS VILLAGE WITH PADDY'S PUB
AND THE DERG INN (ORANGE EXTERIOR)
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

Sundays at 11:30AM
LONDON, ENGLAND – Tower Hill Tube Meeting Point
“Guided Walking Tour of Ancient London”
Regularly-scheduled guided walk provides Home At First London guests looking for more insight into the history –recent and distant – of their London home region. Learn about life here during medieval times: not always nasty, brutish, and short. If knights, damsels, and castles are your cup of tea, this walk's teaser should push your happy buttons: “A guided walk through alleyways that tourists never find, including an urban enchanted forest, a place where 13 knights performed three deeds of bravery, a centuries-old peep hole to keep nuns safe from prying eyes, a place of a Maypole and 11,000 beheaded virgins, a fountain whose waters mimic the tail feathers of an ostrich, Bedlam, a prioress, Bluebell Girls, black magic, Geoffrey Chaucer, and traitors’ heads.” Guide: Susan Jackson, historian and registered Blue Badge Guide. Tel: +44 (0)7977 218374. Email: suejack@btinternet.com. Walks depart from Tower Hill Underground Station Meeting Point every Sunday at 11:30AM.
LOCATION: Walk begins at Tower Hill Underground Station.

Medieval London can still be found -- if you know where to look. Photo © Home At First.

Medieval London can
still be found -- if you
know where to look.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

ADMISSION: Payable to the guide: £9/adult; £7/seniors & students; accompanied children under 15 attend free.

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS: not required.

GETTING THERE: Walk to Tower Hill Tube in 8 minutes from Home At First’s LONDON Apartments at St. Katharine’s Marina by the Tower of London and in 10 minutes from across the Thames at its Apartments at The Brewery.

MORE INFO, phone guide Susan Jackson: +44 (0)7977 218374.
MORE LONDON WALKS

Thru OCTOBER - Rotating Schedule

BERMUDA

“Beating of Retreats”

Colorful historical re-enactment of military ceremony piping troops back into their forts at the World Heritage town of St. Georges on the east end of Bermuda, the central-island city of Hamilton, and the Dockyard on the western end of the island.

LOCATIONS: Various. St. George's town, Hamilton city and at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Beating retreat at the Royal Navy Dockyard on Bermuda's west end.

Beating retreat at the Royal Navy Dockyard
on Bermuda's west end

COST: free.

GETTING THERE: Public transport.

EVENTS IN JUNE 2013

Thursday-Saturday June 6-8 2013
8:30AM-6:30PM daily
CORNWALL - WEST COUNTRY - SW ENGLAND
“Royal Cornwall Show”
Major country fair and agricultural show with over 850 stands and thousands of animals and birds. Daredevils, parachutists, marching bands, flower show, entertainment, surprises, and food. Lots of local and regional Cornish heritage will be on display.
LOCATION: Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, Cornwall, England.
GETTING THERE: from HOME AT FIRST’S DEVON & CORNWALL cottages near the Cornwall county line north of Plymouth in and near the town of Tavistock, travel west on the A390 for 18 miles to the A38 near Liskeard. Drive 20 more miles west on the A38 to the A389, through Bodmin and onward to Wadebridge.

Cornish Heritage will be displayed
at the annual Royal Cornwall Show.
Photo courtesy www.royalcornwallshow.org.

ADMISSION: £16.50/adult, £8.20/kids 4-14, £38.50/family (up to 2 adults+2 children).
MORE INFO, see: ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW.

Saturday June 8 2013 from 11AM
LONDON
Royal Pomp & Ceremony: “The Colonel’s Review of the Trooping
of the Colour”
A high-ranking military stand-in for the Queen will take the salute in this second rehearsal of the Queen’s Birthday Parade “Trooping the Colour” on Horse Guards Parade. This year the official parade occurs a week later, June 16, 2012 (see "The Queen's Diamond Jubilee", above).

Guards in full ceremonial regalia rehearsing for the Trooping of the Colour parade for the Queen's Birthday. Photo courtesy www.army.mod.uk.

Guards in full ceremonial regalia rehearsing for the Trooping of the Colour parade for the Queen's Birthday.
Photo courtesy www.army.mod.uk

ADMISSION: It’s very difficult for foreigners living outside of the UK to get tickets, which can only be obtained by mail using a check in pounds sterling drawn on a British bank. We recommend the more chaotic, more democratic, and free post-Horseguards procession down the Mall.
LOCATION: Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London, between Westminster (Parliament) and Buckingham Palace.
GETTING THERE: from the Tower Hill Underground Station, HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON guests take the District Line or Circle Line west 6 stops (10 minutes) to Embankment station. Walk 5-8 minutes west from Embankment station via Trafalgar Square to the Mall. Find a good place to observe the parade along the Mall. Total walking plus transit time: 25 minutes.
MORE INFO, see: TROOPING THE COLOUR.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway passenger special between Cheltenham and Winchcombe. Photo courtesy GWR.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway passenger special between CHELTENHAM TO Winchcombe.
Photo courtesy GWR

Saturday June 8 2013 7-9:30PM
COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND
“Fish & Chips and Steam & Midsomer Murder Special”
Enjoy a traditional English evening meal (and a traditional English murder mystery!) on a traditional English steam train in the midst of traditional English countryside. Operating on a portion of an isolated 10.5 mile-long remnant of the defunct 100-year-old Birmingham-Bristol mainline route of the former Great Western Railway, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) special train departs Winchcombe station at 7PM and cruises through classic Cotswolds scenery for Cheltenham. The train returns to Winchcombe at about 9:30PM. The train will have a buffet car (diner) serving hot and cold drinks including local specialty brews: Rail Ale and Track Cider. Be sure to sign up early (before departing the US) for this popular event.
LOCATION: Winchcombe station is north of Winchcombe town where the B4632 crosses the railway.
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS MANDATORY: Phone the GWR during operating hours with your credit card information: +44 (0)1242 621405. Or order via the automated booking service on the railway WEBSITE.
ADMISSION: £27/person, includes train fare and fish & chips dinner. Drinks available for sale in the buffet car.
GETTING THERE: Drive about 35 minutes north from Tetbury, home to HOME AT FIRST’S SOUTHERN COTSWOLDS cottages. From HOME AT FIRST’S NORTHERN COTSWOLDS cottages in and around Chipping Campden, drive 25 minutes south.
MORE INFO, see: GWR RWY FISH CHIPS AND STEAM.

Sunday June 9 2013
SHROPSHIRE & NORTHERN
COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND
“75th RAF Cosford Air Show”
Major air show featuring RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team and Falcons parachute team, several Battle of Britain and World War I warbirds, plus market and trade fairs, funfair, craft fair and static airplane displays.
LOCATION: RAF Cosford air base is just east of Telford 1 mile south of the M54 on the A41.

A famed RAF Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be featured at the RAF Cosford Air Show. Photo courtesy www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.

A famed RAF Spitfire from the Battle of Britain
will be featured at the RAF Cosford Air Show.
Photo courtesy www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.

GETTING THERE: HOME AT FIRST SHROPSHIRE
guests drive south approximately 40 minutes on the A41 direct to RAF Cosford. HOME AT FIRST NORTHERN COTSWOLDS guests drive approximately 1-hour north on the M5 then west on the M54 to exit 3 for the A41 south at Cosford.
ADMISSION: £25/adult, Children under 16: free!
PARKING: Free.
MORE INFO, see: RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW.

Monday June 10 2013 12 noon and 1PM
LONDON – Hyde Park & The Tower of London
“Gun Salute to mark Prince Philip’s Birthday”
Gun salute of 62 cannon rounds (Tower of London) and 41 rounds (Hyde Park) to mark the birthday of the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. The salute will be fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park at 12 noon (opposite the Dorchester Hotel) and then by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London at 1PM (on London Wharf along the River Thames).
GETTING TO HYDE PARK: For the Hyde Park event, from the Tower Hill Underground Station, then take the District Line or Circle Line west 11 stops to South Kensington station. Change to the Piccadilly Line (direction Cockfosters). Travel 2 stops to Hyde Park Corner. Walk north into Hyde

Royal Birthday Gun Salute at the Tower of London by the Tower Bridge.

Royal Birthday Gun Salute at the
Tower of London by the Tower Bridge.

Park.
GETTING TO THE TOWER: For the Tower of London salute at 1PM, HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON guests walk 5-12 minutes west from Home At First’s Apartments at St. Katharine’s Marina & The Brewery along the Thames Path walkway to the London Wharf by the Tower of London.
ADMISSION: Free!
MORE INFO, see: PRINCE PHILIP’S BIRTHDAY SALUTE.

Friday - Saturday June 14-29 2013, Various Times Daily
YORKSHIRE DALES, NORTH ENGLAND
“33rd Annual Grassington Festival”
One of our annual favorites, Grassington lets you see some of the best and most varied talent in Britain and peer into the folk traditions of the Yorkshire Dales. Grassington draws crowds with its festival of music, comedy, lectures, poetry, guided walking, crafts, and art. Expect an eclectic range of music performances including pop, rock, choral, folk, classical, British cabaret, opera, and piano. Expect lectures from politicians, heroes, and adventurers. Expect

Village Post Office, Grassington, Yorkshire Dales, England. Photo © Home At First.

Village Post Office, Grassington, Yorkshire Dales.
Photo © Home At First.

nonsense from stand-up comedians. Then Grassington adds its own Dales flavor to these headliners with customary local demonstrations about the art of beer tasting, the crafts of building sand castles and kites, and a lecture on how to construct Yorkshire dry stonewalls. Also planned are walks about the village and its beautiful valley setting. Great Fun! See web site for daily events listing and prices.
LOCATION: Grassington is a classical Dales village of tearooms, antique shops, flower boxes, and stone cottages, centered in a very scenic part of the Yorkshire Dales.
ADMISSION: £0-£130/person depending upon event, with most ticket prices under £20 and many events free. See PROGRAM.
GETTING THERE: Grassington, Wharfedale, is on the B6265 20-25 miles west of HOME AT FIRST’S NORTH YORKSHIRE lodgings.
MORE INFO, see: GRASSINGTON FESTIVAL.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II AT THE GATES OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOLLOWING THE TROOPING OF THE COLOUR JUNE 13, 1981.
ONLY MINUTES BEFORE THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN, THE QUEEN WAS SHOT AT SIX TIMES BY A "FANTASY ASSASSIN" AT CLOSE RANGE.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST.

Saturday June 15, 2013 starting at approximately 10AM
LONDON: Horseguards Parade – The Mall – Buckingham Palace
Royal Pomp & Ceremony: “The Trooping of the Color”
Queen Elizabeth’s Official Birthday Parade. The Queen herself will take the salute and review her colorful troops in the annual “Trooping the Color” on Horse Guards Parade. After an enclosed official ceremony at Horseguards Parade behind Whitehall, the parade leaves the parade grounds and marches along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, all free to public view. The Queen used to ride the route sidesaddle, but now, sadly, travels in a regal carriage. After the ceremony concludes in front of Buckingham Palace, a 41 Gun Royal Salute is fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park at 12:10PM, and a 62 Gun Royal salute fired by the Honourable Artillery company at the Tower of London (5-minutes walk from Home At First’s Apartments at St. Katharine’s Marina) at 1PM.
ADMISSION: It’s very difficult for foreigners living outside of the UK to get tickets, which can only be obtained by mail using a check in pounds sterling drawn on a British bank. We recommend the more chaotic, more democratic, and free post-Horseguards procession down the Mall.
LOCATION: Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London.
GETTING THERE: from the Tower Hill Underground Station, HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON guests take the District Line or Circle Line west 6 stops (10 minutes) to Embankment station. Walk 5-8 minutes west from Embankment station via Trafalgar Square to the Mall. Find a good place to observe the parade along the Mall. Total walking plus transit time: 25 minutes.
MORE INFO, see: TROOPING THE COLOUR.

Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe, in the center of England's Cotswolds. Photo courtesy Sudeley Castle.
SUDELEY CASTLE IN THE CENTER OF ENGLAND'S COTSWOLDS CELEBRATES ROSE WEEK ANNUALLY. IN 2012 THE CASTLE ALSO
CELEBRATES THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF ITS MOST FAMOUS RESIDENT, CATHERINE PARR, QUEEN OF HENRY VIII.
Photo courtesy Sudeley Castle.

Monday-Sunday June 24-30 2013 10:30AM-5PM daily
COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND
“Rose Week At Sudeley Castle Gardens”
The roses in the castle’s Queen’s Garden area at their peak, and the castle gardens are among England’s finest. One-hour guided tours take place at 11AM and 2PM Monday through Friday. A garden talk with afternoon tea is planned for Sunday, June 17.
The medieval castle — reconstructed following its ruination by Cromwell in the English Civil War — has a long history and notable associations with several English Tudor monarchs, especially KING HENRY VIII, his second wife, QUEEN ANNE BOLEYN, his sixth wife, QUEEN CATHERINE PARR, the once-and-never queen Lady Jane Grey, and Henry’s daughter QUEEN ELIZABETH I.
LOCATION: Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.
GETTING THERE: Sudeley Castle is just east of the old town of Winchcombe. HOME AT FIRST’S SOUTHERN COTSWOLDS guests staying in cottages near Tetbury drive north about 35 minutes to Cheltenham, then take the B4632 northeast 8 miles to Winchcombe. HOME AT FIRST NORTHERN COTSWOLDS guests staying in cottages in the Chipping Campden area drive south about 20 minutes from Broadway on the B4632 to Winchcombe. Once in Winchcombe, turn east on Vineyard Street to reach the castle’s main entrance.
ADMISSION: Includes horticultural and historic guided tours offered: Adult £11, Child 5-15 £6.50, Seniors £10, Family (2 adults 2 children) £33. Sunday special lecture and afternoon tea: £28 (includes adult admission).
MORE INFO: Tel: +44 01242 602308 or see: SUDELEY CASTLE.

Monday-Sunday June 24-July 7 2013
GREATER LONDON, ENGLAND
“Wimbledon Tennis Championships”
The annual fortnight that brings the best tennis players in the world to this south London suburb proves that Britain is still a player on the world sports stage, and that it has never forgotten how to throw a party. Expect tennis royalty and royal tennis fans. Expect to see Serena Williams to curtsy, Andy Murray to carry realistic British hopes, and European men and women to dominate. And expect another epic battle among Murray, Nadal, Federer, and Djokavic to decide the men's championship.

ADMISSION TO THE TOURNAMENT: Most tickets are subscribed by ballot, with ballot applications due by December 31 of the prior year. Tickets cost from £5-£130, depending upon date and location. Not all tickets are pre-sold. Approximately 500 tickets are retained for sale on the day of play for Centre Court and Courts #1 and #2, and several hundred Ground Admission tickets are available daily. Queue for these daily tickets at Wimbledon's Gate 3 turnstiles, and expect long lines.
VISITING WIMBLEDON: Those wanting to visit Wimbledon at a time other than during the Championships, the site has a modern museum with guided tours of the grounds, including Centre Court, tennis’s most hallowed place. Enter museum using Gate 3.

ADMISSION: To the museum: £12/adults, £10/seniors, £7/children under 16.
To the Museum + Tour: £22/adults, £19/seniors, £13/children under 16.
OPEN: 10AM-5:00PM daily with restrictions during the Tennis Championships and during this summer's London Olympics. Tennis tournament and Olympic ticket holders will have access to the museum.
LOCATION: Wimbledon is a suburban south London town reachable by rail and by tube.
GETTING THERE: Total 55 minutes for HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON guests from Tower Hill Underground station. Ride 42 minutes on the Underground (to Southfields tube on the District Line direction Wimbledon) plus 5 minutes on
connecting bus 493.

MORE INFO, see: WIMBLEDON TENNIS TOURNEY.

MORE INFO: TENNIS MUSEUM & TOUR.

The Boathouse Hole, Montgomerie Course, Carton House, site of the 2013 Irish Open. Photo courtesy www.cartonhouse.com.
BOATHOUSE ON THE MONTGOMERIE COURSE AT CARTON HOUSE GOLF RESORT,
Country KILDARE, CENTRAL Ireland, site of the 2013 Irish Open.
Photo courtesy www.cartonhouse.com.

Thursday to Sunday, June 27-30, 2013

MAYNOOTH, COUNTY KILDARE, CENTRAL IRELAND

"IRISH OPEN GOLF AT CARTON HOUSE GOLF CLUB"

Pity the poor Irish. After a strong twenty years as an EU success story, Ireland has again fallen on hard times: the Celtic Tiger has become largely a paper tiger. After two decades of overbuilding and overcharging, excessive Irish optimism threatens institutions as critical to the Irish economy as banking, housing, and golf tourism. Fortunately, Ireland's golf infrastructure is built on sand, not on rock: a coastal chain of great links courses is one of the sport's diamond necklaces. So why is Ireland's premier annual tournament, the Irish Open, not being played on one of Ireland's great links courses? Only last year the Open was played at Royal Portrush on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast, certainly one of the top five courses on the island. But last year was one in a row. This year, for the third time in the last nine years, the Irish Open returns to a second level inland course: the little-praised Montgomerie Course at Carton House resort in County Kildare west of Dublin in Central Ireland. While the 7,300-yard Montgomerie Course might be the best course on the property — a few yards and a nod ahead of Carton House's O'Meara Course — it may not be ranked in the top two courses in inland Kildare. The Palmer and Smurfit Courses at the nearby K Club probably still hold the honor. And, as a resort property with the size and amenities necessary to host a major tournament, the K Club outpoints all but a few properties in Ireland. While the Irish Open is not a major tournament on the European PGA calendar, it has sufficient cache to draw all of Ireland's top and many contending players from the European PGA tour. Former winners include: Pádraig Harrington, Thomas Bjørn, Colin Montgomerie, and Sergio Garcia. But, despite occurring just two weeks ahead of the (British) Open Championship, don't expect many American pros to enter the Irish Open: there are few similarities between a parkland course in County Kildare and the great true links course where this year's Open Championship will be played July 14-21: Muirfield in Scotland.

LOCATION: The 2013 Irish Open will be played on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House just northeast of Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Central Ireland. Carton House was transformed from a former great private palace — ancestral home of the FitzGerald family, the Earls of Kildare — into a golf resort at the turn of the 21st century, riding the wave of golf resort constructions across Ireland.

NEAREST HOME AT FIRST LODGINGS: about 90 minutes southwest of Maynooth in towns and villages on/near Lough Derg CENTRAL IRELAND.

GETTING THERE: A car is indispensable. From the Lough Derg area, take the M7 motorway NE past Naas, then the R406 Straffan Road north into Maynooth. Turn east (right) on the R148 Dublin Road, then north (left) just east of Maynooth onto roads signed for Carton House Golf Club.

TICKETS to daily tournament rounds begin at £31. TICKETS.

MORE INFO: WEBSITE.

Saturday June 29 2013

KILDARE, CENTRAL IRELAND

"THE IRISH DERBY AT THE CURRAGH"
The biggest race in Irish horseracing featuring occurs today at the greatest Irish shrine in the sport, The Curragh, in County Kildare, Central Ireland. The 1.5mi. race is the culminating climax of the annual three-day Irish Derby Festival. The Irish Derby, eighth and final race of the day, begins at 6:40PM.
LOCATION: The Curragh Racecourse, near Kildare, County Kildare. Combine with visit to the nearby Japanese Gardens and the Irish National Stud. This year, the race can also be combined with the penultimate day at golf's Irish Open, only five miles north of the Curragh at Carton House northeast of Maynooth, Co. Kildare (see above).

Horseracing at The Curragh, shrine of Irish sport. Photo courtesy www.curragh.ie.

Horseracing at The Curragh,
shrine of Irish sport.
Photo courtesy www.curragh.ie.

GETTING THERE: From Home At First’s cottages in CENTRAL IRELAND, drive northeast approximately 90 minutes to Kildare on the N7 (M7). At Kildare, exit the highway and follow signs for The Curragh.
ADMISSION: €40/adult, €25/senior/youth; accompanied children under 16: free.
MORE INFO, see: RACING AT THE CURRAGH.

EVENTS IN JULY 2013

Ongoing through Sunday July 7 2013
GREATER LONDON, ENGLAND
“Wimbledon Tennis Championships”
The annual fortnight that brings the best tennis players in the world to this south London suburb proves that Britain is still a player on the world sports stage, and that it has never forgotten how to throw a party. Expect tennis royalty and royal tennis fans. Expect to see Serena Williams to curtsy, Andy Murray to carry realistic British hopes, and European men and women to dominate. And expect another epic battle among Murray, Nadal, Federer, and Djokavic to decide the men's championship.

MORE INFO, see: WIMBLEDON TENNIS TOURNEY.

MORE INFO: TENNIS MUSEUM & TOUR.

Sunday Evenings July & August 7–9PM
BALQUHIDDER, CENTRAL SCOTLAND
“Balquhidder Summer Concert Series”
Weekly Sunday evening classical music concert at Balquhidder Church, a beautiful Highlands setting in the home of Rob Roy MacGregor. 28th season of this popular summer concert series in Balquhidder village.

PROGRAM FOR 2013:

• July 14: Philomusica of Edinburgh -
chamber orchestra.

• July 21: Scottish Wind Ensemble - wind
octet.

• July 28: Scottish Opera - voices & piano.

Balquhidder's classic Highlands church:
site of its annual summer concert series
and final rest of Rob Roy MacGregor.
Photo by Mike Mullen © Home At First.

• AUGUST 4: Feargus Hetherington & Olga Gorelik: violin and piano.

• AUGUST 11: Tim Kliphuis Trio: violin, guitar, & double bass.

• august 18: Joseph Fleetwood: piano.

LOCATION: Balquhidder village is nestled in one of Nature’s prettiest valleys, flanked by the celebrated Braes o’ Balquhidder, within the confines of Scotland’s Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. The historic cemetery of the Balquhidder Church includes the gravesite of noted Scottish patriot/rascal Rob Roy MacGregor.
GETTING THERE: some HOME AT FIRST CENTRAL SCOTLAND guests can easily walk to Balquhidder Church. Others must drive 3-25 minutes from their Central Scotland cottages.
ADMISSION: £8/adult, £7/seniors/students, children under 15 free.
MORE INFO, see: BALQUIDDER CONCERTS.
MORE ABOUT: THE BALQUHIDDER GLEN.

Wednesday July 3 2013 5:30-9:30PM
KENMORE, CENTRAL SCOTLAND
“Kenmore Highland Games”
Unusual mid-week evening games in a beautiful
setting on the east end of Loch Tay. Heavyweight events
including hammer throwing, sheaf tossing, caber tossing,
shot-putt, and throwing the 101-pound Tirine Stone, as well
as tug-o-war, track and field events, and a grueling hill
race. Traditional highland dancing and bagpiping will occur
throughout the games along with fun events for children and
adults. Expect concessions for candy, cake, clothing, and
crafts. Food and bar concessions, too.
LOCATION: Sports Field, Kenmore village.
GETTING THERE: Kenmore is the northeastern corner of
HOME AT FIRST’S CENTRAL SCOTLAND. Local guests should take
the A827 northeast from Killin along Loch Tay to its eastern

Highland Games Shot Putter. Photo © Home At First.

HIGHLAND GAMES
SHOT PUTTER.
Photo © Home At First

end at Kenmore village and watch for signs.
ADMISSION: £5/adults, children free.

PARKING: free.
MORE INFO, see: KENMORE HIGHLAND GAMES
MORE ABOUT: CENTRAL SCOTLAND

The 1,000 year old Oratory of St. Lua atop the hill in Killaloe town, a relic of the time of Brian Ború set near the location of his castle. Photo © Home At First.

The 1,000 year old Oratory of St. Lua atop the hill in Killaloe town,
a relic of the time of Brian Ború set near the location of his castle.
Photo © Home At First.

Thursday-Sunday July 4-7 2013

KILLALOE/BALLINA, CENTRAL IRELAND

"FÉILE BRIAN BORÚ" (The Festival of Brian Ború)

One thousand years ago a young man, born to become chief of the clan O'Brien, rose to become the first and greatest High King of Ireland, and led the unified Irish clans in victory against their allied enemies of Viking colonists and bands of Irish collaborators. The boy was born in KILLALOE, eastern County Clare, a town twinned with its close neighbor, Ballina, County Tipperary, connected by a bridge across the River Shannon in CENTRAL IRELAND. The great Irish king was killed at the apex of his life, the victorious Battle of Clontarf in 1014, by a retreating Danish warrior. The martyred king who had liberated Ireland was called Brian Ború. His hometown of Killaloe (along with its cross-river twin Ballina) celebrate the life of their greatest native son every year at the start of July. The Brian Ború Festival (Féile Brian Ború) has grown to last eleven days, with a wide variety of events planned for every day.

LOCATION: Killaloe and Ballina are at the southern end of the large central Irish lake, Lough Derg, along the section of the River Shannon between the lake and the Shannon Estuary. The city of LIMERICK is fewer than 20 miles to the south.

NEAREST HOME AT FIRST LODGINGS: are in Killaloe (see NOREEN'S TOWN HOUSE) as well as in several other towns and villages along the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

GETTING THERE: A car is indispensable. Free parking is available at several locations in and around both Killaloe and Ballina.

TICKETS to events, lectures, performances, and happenings cost from free to upwards of €30. Most are free. Many others are priced from €5-€10. PROGRAM

MORE INFO: WEBSITE.

GWR's "Black Prince" steaming at Winchcombe. Photo courtesy GWR.

GWR's "Black Prince" steaming at Winchcombe.
Photo courtesy GWR

Saturday July 6 2013 7–9:30PM
COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND “Fish & Chips and Steam”
Enjoy a traditional English evening meal on a traditional English steam train in the midst of traditional English countryside. Operating on a portion of an isolated 10.5 mile-long remnant of the defunct 100-year-old Birmingham-Bristol mainline route of the former Great Western Railway, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) special train departs Winchcombe station at 7PM and cruises through classic Cotswolds scenery for Cheltenham. The train returns to Winchcombe at about 9:30PM. The train will have a buffet car (diner) serving hot and cold drinks including local specialty brews: Rail Ale and Track Cider. Be sure to sign up early (before departing the US) for this popular event.
LOCATION: Winchcombe station is north of Winchcombe town where the B4632 crosses the railway.
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS MANDATORY: Phone the GWR during operating hours with your credit card information: +44 (0)1242 621405, or book ON-LINE.
ADMISSION: £20/person, includes train fare and fish & chips dinner. Drinks available for sale in the buffet car.
GETTING THERE: Drive about 35 minutes north from Tetbury, home to HOME AT FIRST’S SOUTHERN COTSWOLDS cottages. From HOME AT FIRST’S NORTHERN COTSWOLDS cottages in and around Chipping Campden, drive 25 minutes south.
MORE INFO, see: GWR RWY FISH CHIPS AND STEAM.

Young Queen Elizabeth II wearing a riding habit supplied by warrant holder Bernard Weatherill.
Photo courtesy coronationfestival.com.

Friday-Sunday July 11-14, 2013

LONDON, ENGLAND
CORONATION FESTIVAL AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

A one-time event marking the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II takes over the gardens at Buckingham Palace for four days in July. Hosted by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, the festival presents an outdoor showcase of some two hundred (of some 800) companies that provide goods and services "by royal appointment" to the Queen, her husband Prince Phillip, or Prince Charles. Companies large and small will be represented, some with recent appointments, others with royal warrants of over two centuries of continued service to The Crown. Tickets are sold for each day's exhibitions, and for two Coronation Galas to occur on Friday and Saturday evenings. The festival promises to be dressy and snooty, and lots of poke-around fun for the curious as well as the toffee-nosed.

LOCATION: Buckingham Palace, London. Nearest tube: Green Park.

TIMES: Day-time Exhibitions in the Palace Gardens: Friday through Sunday 9:30AM-4PM. Evening Galas Friday and Saturday: 6-10PM.
ADVANCE TICKETS MANDATORY: BOOKING INFORMATION ON-LINE.
ADMISSION: £30/person, for standard day festival ticket. £90/person for standard evening gala ticket.
GETTING THERE: HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON guests take the Underground to Green Park station or St. James’s Park station, then walk through the park south or west respectively to Buckingham Palace. Total journey time: 30 minutes door-to-door.
MORE INFO, see: CORONATION FESTIVAL AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.

The Claret Jug at Muirfield. The Open Championship returns to Muirfield in 2013.
Photo courtesy Muirfield HCEG.

Thursday–Sunday July 18–21 2013

MUIRFIELD, EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND

"THE (BRITISH) OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP" — GOLF AT MUIRFIELD

          There are four majors on the PGA calendar. Only one is played outside of the United States, where the non-US major is known as "The British Open". However, the rest of the world call it what the Brits call it, "The Open Championship", as if, because it came first, this tournament is the only one of its kind. Almost all golfing nations have national "opens". But only the UK's open championship calls itself "The Open". Sporting arrogance? Maybe. But perhaps it's just the British taking their due as the founding fathers (& mothers) of golf. And, as for sporting arrogance in the world of golf, there's plenty of that to go around.
          The best part of The (British) Open Championship is that its rotation of courses includes only true seaside links courses. This guarantees at least one major being played each year on landscapes similar to the settings of the original game: sandy "wastelands" outside of seaside towns in (first) Scotland, then around the coastal perimeters of England, Wales, and Ireland. While the US Open is occasionally played on seaside links courses (Pebble Beach, Shinnecock Hills), all nine of the courses on the British Open rotation are true seaside linkses.
          Despite playing on unfamiliar links courses — which require different strategies and tactics than do most parkland and resort courses found in the US and other countries — the British (& Irish) do not dominate The Open Championship. In the last decade four Americans, two Irishmen, and two South Africans have won Britain's greatest sporting prize, the Claret Jug. Current champion Ernie Els (South Africa) will defend his title against all comers for four days in July. Expect all kinds of weather, drama, and play at The Open, a tournament where unknowns and best-knowns have competed at the highest level since 1860.

LOCATION: The 2013 British Open will be played at MUIRFIELD by the village of Gullane, twenty miles east of Edinburgh, Scotland. Muirfield is a private course currently ranked 5th in the world outside the USA (by golfdigest.com). Muirfield is home to the world's oldest continuously-existing golf club, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, who are hosting the 2013 Open Championship.

NEAREST HOME AT FIRST LODGINGS: in EDINBURGH, THE SCOTTISH BORDERS, and CENTRAL SCOTLAND are within driving distance.

GETTING THERE: A car is indispensable.

TICKETS to daily tournament rounds begin at £75/adult. TICKETS.
PARKING: £15/car. PRE-PAID PARKING PERMIT.

MORE INFO: WEBSITE.

GWR 7903 steaming FROM CHELTENHAM TO Winchcombe.
Photo courtesy GWR

Saturday July 20 2013 7–9:30PM
COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND “Fish & Chips and Steam”
Enjoy a traditional English evening meal on a traditional English steam train in the midst of traditional English countryside. Operating on a portion of an isolated 10.5 mile-long remnant of the defunct 100-year-old Birmingham-Bristol mainline route of the former Great Western Railway, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) special train departs Winchcombe station at 7PM and cruises through classic Cotswolds scenery for Cheltenham. The train returns to Winchcombe at about 9:30PM. The train will have a buffet car (diner) serving hot and cold drinks including local specialty brews: Rail Ale and Track Cider. Be sure to sign up early (before departing the US) for this popular event.
LOCATION: Winchcombe station is north of Winchcombe town where the B4632 crosses the railway.
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS MANDATORY: Phone the GWR during operating hours with your credit card information: +44 (0)1242 621405, or book ON-LINE.
ADMISSION: £20/person, includes train fare and fish & chips dinner. Drinks available for sale in the buffet car.
GETTING THERE: Drive about 35 minutes north from Tetbury, home to HOME AT FIRST’S SOUTHERN COTSWOLDS cottages. From HOME AT FIRST’S NORTHERN COTSWOLDS cottages in and around Chipping Campden, drive 25 minutes south.
MORE INFO, see: GWR RWY FISH CHIPS AND STEAM.

Saturday July 20 2013 12:30-5:30PM
LOCHEARNHEAD, CENTRAL SCOTLAND
“Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Highland Games”
Traditional Saturday afternoon Highland Games held in the land of clans MacGregor, McLaren, MacNab, Stewart, and Campbell at a beautiful setting on the west end of Loch Earn. Heavyweight events including hammer throwing,
caber tossing, shot-putt, weight over the bar, tug-o-war as well as track and field events, and a grueling hill race. Traditional highland dancing and bagpiping will occur throughout the afternoon along with fun events for children and adults. Expect concessions for candy, cake, clothing,
and crafts. Food and bar concessions, too.
LOCATION: Games Park, Lochearnhead village.
GETTING THERE: Lochearnhead is in the middle of HOME AT FIRST’S CENTRAL SCOTLAND. Local guests should take the A84 or A85 to their intersection at Lochearnhead village, and

follow signs to the Games Park by Loch Earn.
ADMISSION: £6/adults, £4/seniors & kids.

PARKING: free.
MORE INFO, see: LOCHEARNHEAD HIGHLAND GAMES
MORE ABOUT: CENTRAL SCOTLAND

Jousting at Berkeley Castle's Medieval Skirmish. Photo courtesy The Berkeley Skirmish.

Jousting at Berkeley Castle's Medieval "Skirmish".
Photo Courtesy The Berkeley Skirmish

Saturday-Sunday July 27-28 2013 Daily 11AM–5PM
SOUTHERN COTSWOLDS — GLOUCESTERSHIRE, WESTERN ENGLAND
“The Berkeley Skirmish: Medieval Weekend at Berkeley Castle”
          Historic Berkeley Castle hosts Britain’s most spectacular medieval festival, The Berkeley Skirmish, featuring jousting, falconry, archery and battles, medieval crafts stalls, and medieval music. Explore the castle and mingle with knights, jesters, minstrels, lords, ladies and lepers. Berkeley Castle is no show castle operated like a theme park, but a private residence that has been the home of the Berkeley family since Norman times (since the year 1117). Its appearance remains largely unaltered since medieval times. It will be open to visit on Sunday, July 28 (only) for a separate admission price.
LOCATION: Berkeley Castle is about 30 minutes drive west of HOME AT FIRST’S COTTAGES IN THE SOUTHERN COTSWOLDS at Tetbury.
GETTING THERE: from Home At First’s cottages in Tetbury, South Cotswolds, take the A4135 west to the B4066 to the A38 at Dursley, then the A38 south about ¾ mile to the B4066 leading west (left) for Berkeley. In less than a mile you reach the entrance for Berkeley Castle on the left as you enter the town of Berkeley.
          From HOME AT FIRST’S COTTAGES IN THE NORTHERN COTSWOLDS, drive the A44 NW to the A46 near Evesham. Take the A46 SW to Junction 9 of the M5 near Tewkesbury. South on the M5 motorway and exit onto the A38 south at Junction 13. Take the A38 south past Dursley, then the B4066 west 1 mile to Berkeley Castle entrance just before entering the town of Berkeley.
ADMISSION TO THE BERKELEY SKIRMISH (does not include entry to Berkeley Castle):
     • At the gate: £12/adult, £7/child 5-14, £32/family (up to 2adults+2 kids).
     • In Advance: £10/adult, £5/child, £26/family.
ADMISSION TO BERKELEY CASTLE (does not include entry to the Berkeley Skirmish):
     • Sunday July 28 only 11AM-5PM: £9.50/adult, £7.50/seniors/students,
     £5/child 5-14, £24/family (up to 2 adults+2 kids).
MORE INFO, see: BERKELEY SKIRMISH
MORE ABOUT HOME AT FIRST’S COTSWOLDS

Weds-Sat July 24-27 2013 10AM–10PM
CHULMLEIGH, DEVONSHIRE, SOUTHWESTERN ENGLAND
“Chulmleigh Old Fair”
Ancient west country small town fair held each year since King Henry III granted Chulmleigh its royal town charter in 1253. Fair, sheep show, flower show. Different events each day, but the big day is Wednesday: country market day with approx. 60 street stalls. Saturday features fancy dress and street entertainment.
LOCATION: Chulmleigh is just east of the A377, about 45 minutes north of HOME AT FIRST’S COTTAGES IN DEVONSHIRE.
GETTING THERE: Take the A386 north from Tavistock to the A3072 east. Take the A3072 east to the A377 at Copplestone. Take the A377 NW to Leigh Cross, then the B3096 (Leigh Road) east 1 mile to Chulmleigh village.
ADMISSION: most events are free!
MORE INFO, see: CHULMLEIGH OLD FAIR
MORE INFO ABOUT TRAVEL TO DEVONSHIRE

Saturday July 27 to Monday Aug. 5 2013
CO. DONEGAL, NORTHWESTERN IRELAND “Mary from Dungloe Festival”
Annual festival of traditional Irish culture in the small town of Dungloe in western County Donegal. Events differ each day and include such attractions as a golf tourney, duck racing, a gala ball, bingo, and
a soapbox derby. The internationally
recognized high point of the festival is the crowning of this year’s “Mary of Dungloe” on Sunday August 4. The best other day for

MARYS AND FRIENDS FILL DUNGLOE'S STREETS .
Photo courtesy Mary from Dungloe International Festival.

visitors is likely Thursday, August 1, with street corner entertainment, dancing, live music, and Irish crafts on display. SEE PROGRAM.
LOCATION: Dungloe is about 60 miles NW of Donegal town near the rugged northwestern coast of Ireland.
GETTING THERE: From HOME AT FIRST'S NORTHWESTERN IRELAND lodgings in/around Donegal, take the scenic N56 about 90 minutes northwest to Dungloe.
ADMISSION: to some events. Free to the street entertainment.
TIMES: Numerous events daily. Most days schedule runs from morning into evening.
MORE INFO, see: MARY FROM DUNGLOE

Starting Saturday July 27 (and running through September 29) 2013

LONDON, ENGLAND

“Buckingham Palace Open to the Public”

During these two months when the Royal Family is at their Scotland residence (Balmoral Castle) and elsewhere, significant portions of their London residence, Buckingham Palace, are open to the public, for a fee. Guided tours tramp through the Royal Mews — the palace stables — and through nineteen state rooms — decorated with paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto, and fine English and French furniture — elegant spaces used to receive and entertain guests on British state and ceremonial occasions. See what it means to “live like a king” (or the Queen). For 2013, visitors see a special exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's taking the throne: "The Queen's Coronation 1953", included in the basic price.

LOCATION: Buckingham Palace is in London’s West End at the intersection of Green Park, Hyde Park, and St. James’s Park.

GETTING THERE: HOME AT FIRST’S LONDON guests take the Underground to Green Park station or St. James’s Park station, then walk through the park south or west respectively to Buckingham Palace. Total journey time: 30 minutes door-to-door.

ADMISSION: £19/adults, £17.50/seniors & college students, £10.85/kids 5-16, £50/family (up to 3 children). Children under 5: free.

TICKETS: Get advance tickets here ON-LINE.

OPEN: 9:30AM-7PM daily July 27 through August (last entrance: 4:45PM).
OPEN: 9:30AM-6:30PM daily September 1-29 (last entrance: 3:45PM).

MORE INFO: BUCKINGHAM PALACE OPEN TO VIEW

Sunday-Thursday July 28 - Aug. 8, 2013
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
“Copenhagen Summer Festival”
Twelve classical music concerts (some with free admission) will occur over twelve days. Performers will include established and rising stars.

LOCATION: Performances at Charlottenborg Festsal (Assembly Hall) on Kongens Nytorv square just steps from Home At First's Copenhagen, DENMARK lodgings.

Copenhagen Summer Festival.

COPENHAGEN SUMMER FESTIVAL
Photo: Visit Denmark

GETTING THERE: from HOME AT FIRST’s nearest COPENHAGEN lodgings at NYHAVN, walk two blocks west to Kongens Nytorv square.

ADMISSION: See PROGRAM for ticket prices. Some concerts are free.

OPEN: Concerts Daily at 4:30PM.

MORE INFO: COPENHAGEN SUMMER FESTIVAL

CHECK BACK FOR MORE EVENTS EACH MONTH