I think Alex is going to be an expert "interrailer" by the time he becomes a young adult. I had been warned about train "service" in England, but took the chance and purchased rail tickets from Birmingham to Oxford. Our $50 "economy" tickets (it's only a 1 hour ride!) got us a spot in front of the bathroom in-between cars and on top of suitcases. Alex was fine, though--he settled right in with an iPod for the duration of the trip.
Didn't have too much time for sight-seeing (it was a work trip) and it was blustery England, but we managed to visit Churchill's Blenheim Palace, eat fish and chips in a pub (when we could find one that allowed children), and go to our beloved South African - Portuguese Nando's restaurant to have peri-peri chicken.
Alex and Michelle almost got lost in the Marlborough maze.
