I would like to point out a couple of really significant points between the US and Britain. We started off at the airport when I had to check in liquids for Brandon to travel on the plane. I anticipated we were going to have issues at security and I obtained a letter from Brandon's doctor outlining why he needed to travel with liquids (medications, nebulizer tubes and 6 cans of Boost). All the medications had their prescription on them. When I told security about the liquids they pulled me aside, left Brandon, scanned the liquids and rudely told me that if any of the liquids did not meet the scan they would have to do a body search on me. This didn't really make sense. TSA could not have been more rude. I stood waiting for the scan which took awhile. TSA can back and the bottles passed but they have moved everything in the bag with all the medicines so I had to repack around everyone trying to unload. I show this in comparison to England where they had a special line for persons with disabilities to accommodate through the check in process and everything was handled without use of the scans. It was so easy and such a sigh of relief. In fact, we found everyone in London and Liverpool so helpful, with immediate accommodations for Brandon to access everything we wanted to see. The only exception to this was the "tube" where we Brandon did have to walk and where we took the empty wheelchair up and down the escalators. People helped us with directions, how to access the "lifts (elevators), food options, it was really nice.
We started off at the Austin airport - can you tell the trip was all about the Beatles. Along for the journey was me, Brandon, Kurt, Mary and Karen. I could not have done this trip without them and it took everyone to make the trip work. We took individual time for everyone and each person filled in when someone else wanted some alone time or individual touring time.
I would like to thank Mary for her total support of Brandon throughout the trip, helping when he wasn't feeling well, and her calmness. Brandon loves Mary and it was a natural fit for Mary to be on this trip. I would like to thank Kurt for the heavy load, pushing Brandon around and making it fun for him, his inventive ways to get Brandon to all the things he wanted to see and having a guy around for that guy bonding. Brandon and Kurt were really close on the trip. I want to thank Karen for her patience with Brandon, "calling the airline" over and over when he wanted to come home, helping Brandon work through his first few days where he didn't feel great and supporting his needs throughout the entire trip. Brandon trusts Karen and this was really needed on this trip. We could not have done this trip without any of you.
And then there were the pods. We got a little spoiled. Thank you British Airways.
We arrived
Off to the British Library to see the original manuscripts to some of the Beatles songs.
Brandon started having a reaction to his seizure medication increase and we decided that he needed a day to recover. He really felt miserable (understandably) and wanted to go home to see his doctor. I adjusted the medication and after a day of rest he was better to go out for all things Beatles but a little tired. Lots of time to watch his Beatles movies quietly.
During Brandon's down day Kurt, Mary and Karen went on a mini London tour and saw the Palace. In the evening we took shifts and I did a quick bus tour of London tour with Kurt and Karen.
The next morning we were off with our guide for the day Bob (see below) who knew all things Beatles and music in London. Along with us was Tony Maddalone who arranged for the entire 12 days. First stop a studio where Paul McCartney recorded.
Tony Maddalone and Brandon. Brandon loved loved loved him. Brandon asked him 1000 Beatles questions.
Bob the tour guide for London
On to one of the sites where the Beatles recorded a Hard Days Night and a theater where they often played.
Off to the Chiswick House and Gardens where the Beatles filmed.
Doing the Ringo face where Ringo played the drums in
Where the Beatles stood in one of their film Nowhere Man.
HELP
Olympic Studios - where many famous musicians recorded
Site where Marc Bolan died.
Turks Head for lunch - another movie site
George Harrison's home - Friar Park
Abbey Road Crossing
Paul McCartneys house
At the train station where Beatles filmed Hard Days Night.
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