It's 8:05am. We board at 9:20 and depart 10:05am.
What an adventure we had last night! We took the tube to South Kensington and had half an hour at the Natural History Museum before being advised that the museum was about to close. We had just enough time to see ' the Vault' with the Kho-in-Noor diamond. A massive diamond found in South Africa. We also saw the massive blue whale. It's impossible to describe and equally hard to photograph so just imagine a 100ft yacht suspended from the ceiling with a massive mouth and fins and you could be close.
We wandered up exhibition road to Hyde Park and the Royal Albert Hall. I think we have now hit overload on amazing architecture, massive buildings and endless parks. Get us back to our mountains. We walked another 2km or so to High Street Kensington and found Sticky Fingers where we met up with the entire gang including Grandad. It was lovely seeing everyone again. It was a great meal of whole racks of pork ribs, whole charcoal broiled chickens and mash potatoes and beans. I think I will have to fast for a week when we get home! Hmm, can I smell bacon?
Ok, the adventure began when I asked Lisa about our bags. The ones we left at her house filled with marmalade, marmite and chocolate. Seriously, customs will think that we are resupplying a BritishFood Store. Lisa went white. Oh nooooooo. The bags were sitting in the spare room in Chalfont St Giles. Great. I suggested that maybe Rhys and Grandad could use Jemma and my travel cards to get home while Paul and the kids drop us at the hotel while we grab our bags and head gone with them. I don't think they heard my suggestion as next thing we know Jems and I are waiting for the number 10 bus to Kings Cross. Luckily one came within 5 mins and we were on a mission to get to the hotel, pack, check out and get our buts to Euston Square and on the Metropolitan Line. Jems was awesome! She experienced the Athens battlemarch ( long story), packed her gear in record time, my sergeant major would have been proud, and we battlemarched up to Euston. A Chesham train came along two minutes later. Perfect. This is one of four train destinations on the Met line and it went all the way to Chalfont St Giles without need to change. We left Sticky Fingers at 10:00pm. Caught the bus at 10:06, walked from Goodge Steet to the hotel at 10:30, packed and was out the hotel door at 11:00. It turned out we caught the LAST train to Chalfont St Giles. Did I mention that we only had to wait two minutes for it? That could have been a disaster as we don't have a phone with us. No need to dwell on possibilities. We caught the train and at 12:15am ( just 10hrs before our flight departure) we pulled in to the station to be met by Paul and Rhys. Apparently Lisa had sent them out to find us and we're not to return without us! Who forgot the bags? Just kidding. It wasn't your fault Lisa, you have a lot in your plate.
We went to bed at 1:00am after laughing about the crazy evening and were up again at 6:15 and whisked away in the Bentley to Heathrow Terminal 2 where I am currently sitting. 8:45am. The free wifi is about to run out.
Next communication will be from Canada! Fingers crossed!
Friday, July 11, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Day 14 - our last day in the UK
Our last full day in the UK. This has been a fabulous trip! For us it has been a good idea to break the trip up in to three parts. Three distinct experiences. Life in the country with Lisa and the boys, and of course Grandad. A few days in Ireland in the country and the bustling City of Galway with Paul and Sally. And finally, four days in London jam packed with iconic sights and so pending time with Chezza, Di and Nick. Our cases are full to bursting with souvenirs and presents.
Jemma gave me her list if 'must dos' for our last day in London. It's only three O clock and we have pretty much checked off the entire list.
1. Go to Baker Street. We took the circle line from Euston Square the two stops to Baker Street. We stepped outside to see the mile long queue foe Madame Tussards. Glad we are not doing that! Popped up Baker Street to the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Check. Paid £12 for a metal sign that says Baker Street. I didn't know Jemma liked Baker Street that much!
2. Go see a large famous park. Regents Park, home to the Queen's Gardens and London Zoo occupy just a small part if this massive park in the heart of London.
3. Ride on a double decker bus. We literally just walked up to a bus stop and saw that the 253 would take us to Oxford Circus just as one was pulling up! Perfect. We got to ride in the front seats on the top deck for a great view. There was some kind of political protest going on so traffic was heavy and the police were out in force. Looks like some Brits would like a new government.
4. Exchange top in Top Shop. Cheryl bought Jemma a nice top that Jemma was not really very sure about. No problem. Top exchanged for a nice skirt and another top. Job Done. Next stop...
5. Covent Garden. We were here last week but Jems wanted to have another look and get another demo on how apply the nail polish stamps. We did that bad went to see the Maple Leaf pub which was now empty. We didn't stop for a Ping and considering we will be in Vancouver in about 30hrs no need to feel homesick. We were now a bit peckish and lo and behold we found ourselves in a pie shop. Jems had the chicken and mushroom and I had a steak and Guinness with mash potato and liquor. That's not an alcoholic drink but the name of a traditional, pea based gravy. Yummy. I think I have gained about 10 pounds.
6. China town. A short walk from Covent Garden, past the Queens Theatre where we saw Les Mis, up Shaftsbury Ave and left down Gerard Place. I'm like a London Taxi driver.
Unless we are missing something China a Town is a bit underwhelming. Maybe because we have such a large china town in Vancouver and Richmond.
7. Natural History Museum. We will do this later before we meet Lisa, Paul, Cheryl, Simon and the kids for dinner at Sticky a Fingers just around the corner from the museum.
Right now we are napping at the hotel getting recharged for our last evening in London and the UK.
Our flight leaves at 10:05am tomorrow so we have an early start. Luckily Russell Square is just around the corner and the Piccadilly Line runs all the way out to Heathrow so no changes. We will leave the hotel around 6:00am. Hurry up and wait the bane of travelling.
So that's it. I don't think we will have time to blog after the restaurant tonight. We have to try to fit 3 large jars of marmite, lime marmalade, black currant jam, five large bars of chocolate, four new pairs of shoes (including my new Doc Martins) and about a dozen new clothes into our already full suitcases.
I will post all the photos when we get to a computer, most likely, in Canada.
Thanks for reading. Love Bazza and Jems.
Jemma gave me her list if 'must dos' for our last day in London. It's only three O clock and we have pretty much checked off the entire list.
1. Go to Baker Street. We took the circle line from Euston Square the two stops to Baker Street. We stepped outside to see the mile long queue foe Madame Tussards. Glad we are not doing that! Popped up Baker Street to the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Check. Paid £12 for a metal sign that says Baker Street. I didn't know Jemma liked Baker Street that much!
3. Ride on a double decker bus. We literally just walked up to a bus stop and saw that the 253 would take us to Oxford Circus just as one was pulling up! Perfect. We got to ride in the front seats on the top deck for a great view. There was some kind of political protest going on so traffic was heavy and the police were out in force. Looks like some Brits would like a new government.
4. Exchange top in Top Shop. Cheryl bought Jemma a nice top that Jemma was not really very sure about. No problem. Top exchanged for a nice skirt and another top. Job Done. Next stop...
5. Covent Garden. We were here last week but Jems wanted to have another look and get another demo on how apply the nail polish stamps. We did that bad went to see the Maple Leaf pub which was now empty. We didn't stop for a Ping and considering we will be in Vancouver in about 30hrs no need to feel homesick. We were now a bit peckish and lo and behold we found ourselves in a pie shop. Jems had the chicken and mushroom and I had a steak and Guinness with mash potato and liquor. That's not an alcoholic drink but the name of a traditional, pea based gravy. Yummy. I think I have gained about 10 pounds.
6. China town. A short walk from Covent Garden, past the Queens Theatre where we saw Les Mis, up Shaftsbury Ave and left down Gerard Place. I'm like a London Taxi driver.
Unless we are missing something China a Town is a bit underwhelming. Maybe because we have such a large china town in Vancouver and Richmond.
7. Natural History Museum. We will do this later before we meet Lisa, Paul, Cheryl, Simon and the kids for dinner at Sticky a Fingers just around the corner from the museum.
Our flight leaves at 10:05am tomorrow so we have an early start. Luckily Russell Square is just around the corner and the Piccadilly Line runs all the way out to Heathrow so no changes. We will leave the hotel around 6:00am. Hurry up and wait the bane of travelling.
So that's it. I don't think we will have time to blog after the restaurant tonight. We have to try to fit 3 large jars of marmite, lime marmalade, black currant jam, five large bars of chocolate, four new pairs of shoes (including my new Doc Martins) and about a dozen new clothes into our already full suitcases.
I will post all the photos when we get to a computer, most likely, in Canada.
Thanks for reading. Love Bazza and Jems.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Day 13 -Diane and Nick and Alpha
Jemma and Cheryl managed to get a good nights sleep despite sleeping top to tail on a single bed. We had breakfast and headed out to Waterloo to meet Di and Nick. It was lovely seeing Jemma meet Di and Nick for the first time. These are our last remaing a Waterman relatives.
We strolled along the South Bank towards Blackfriars and the Globe Theatre chatting and catching up. We stopped for a picnic in front of the Tate Gallery. Cheryl and Jemma popped in to the free section to have a look. Unfortunately they are not mature enough to appreciate the poetic beauty of a white paint splotch on a beige wall or a slit cut through a piece of fabric. Probably sold for about ten grand a piece!
The picnic was lovely. Greek salad, falafel, taramasalata, hummus olives and pita bread. Yummy! Di, always was a great cook!
We had to stop a few times as the repeated beats of chemo that Diane has endured has wrecked her nerve endings and make it uncomfortable to walk. It didn't matter. The views were great and we're not in any hurry.
We said our goodbyes at 3:00pm as Di couldn't go any further and Cheryl had to get home to the kids.
Jems and I rested for an hour and then headed out again to Knightsbridge and Harrods which is just down the road from HTB. More about that in a minute.
Selfridges is amazing but Harrods is impossibly even better. The architecture, the ceiling and wall sculptures and paintings, the merchandise. There were a lot of items behind glass without prices. That is an ominous sign that if you have to ask you probably can't afford it. I personally think that 3,500 pounds for a clutch purse is quite reasonable. We went into the food court and checked out the price of caviar. 325 pounds for 30grammes. Hmm, let's get some. Does that come with crackers or are they extra? 10 mouthfuls would be the equivalent of the purse. Seriously, who shops here? Oh yes, people who own countries and 100ft yaufhta. They don't even shop there. They send their butlers.
We bought a very expensive gift for a family member (not giving anything away here). We could have bout some nice tea for £20but decided against it. We fled and headed down the road for Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) the birthplace and current home to The Alpha Course. In case you dint know Jen and I have been leaders in Aloha for about 5 years. We meet at our church for dinner, watch a 30 minute video about God and then chat about it in groups. The video presentation is by a vicar called Nicky Gumbel. We arrived early and were lucky enough to meet Nicky and his wife Pippa almost immediately. I didn't waste ant time, I made a very brief introduction and Jemma snapped a photo before they could change their minds. Awesome. Nicky and Pippa were on their way in to a room where the leaders were preparing for the evenings Alpha. There had to be 50 People in the room. We waited for a few minutes and decided to join in. After all, I am a leader in Canada! We prayed over each other and some leaders told us what to expect that evening. Nick then got up and spoke. Jem and I were in a room with Nicky Gumbel! So cool.
We went upstairs, paid our £4 and goy our dinner and joined some other visitors for the evening presentation. This evenings presentation was filmed and transmitted live all over the UK over the web. We will see if we can look it up when we get home. After the video we joined our small group and were able to chat and get to know a bunch of new people. It was awesome!
Afterwards, Jems and I walked up Knitesbridge to Hyde Park Corner and caught the tube home.
We strolled along the South Bank towards Blackfriars and the Globe Theatre chatting and catching up. We stopped for a picnic in front of the Tate Gallery. Cheryl and Jemma popped in to the free section to have a look. Unfortunately they are not mature enough to appreciate the poetic beauty of a white paint splotch on a beige wall or a slit cut through a piece of fabric. Probably sold for about ten grand a piece!
The picnic was lovely. Greek salad, falafel, taramasalata, hummus olives and pita bread. Yummy! Di, always was a great cook!
We had to stop a few times as the repeated beats of chemo that Diane has endured has wrecked her nerve endings and make it uncomfortable to walk. It didn't matter. The views were great and we're not in any hurry.
A couple English Bulldogs
St Pauls from the South Bank
The Globe Theatre
Nick in front of the Golden Hinde (Sir Walter Raleigh's Ship)
The White Tower, Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Nicky and Pippa Gumbell - Holy Trinity Brompton - Alpha
Harrods Sea Food Hall
We said our goodbyes at 3:00pm as Di couldn't go any further and Cheryl had to get home to the kids.
Jems and I rested for an hour and then headed out again to Knightsbridge and Harrods which is just down the road from HTB. More about that in a minute.
Selfridges is amazing but Harrods is impossibly even better. The architecture, the ceiling and wall sculptures and paintings, the merchandise. There were a lot of items behind glass without prices. That is an ominous sign that if you have to ask you probably can't afford it. I personally think that 3,500 pounds for a clutch purse is quite reasonable. We went into the food court and checked out the price of caviar. 325 pounds for 30grammes. Hmm, let's get some. Does that come with crackers or are they extra? 10 mouthfuls would be the equivalent of the purse. Seriously, who shops here? Oh yes, people who own countries and 100ft yaufhta. They don't even shop there. They send their butlers.
We bought a very expensive gift for a family member (not giving anything away here). We could have bout some nice tea for £20but decided against it. We fled and headed down the road for Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) the birthplace and current home to The Alpha Course. In case you dint know Jen and I have been leaders in Aloha for about 5 years. We meet at our church for dinner, watch a 30 minute video about God and then chat about it in groups. The video presentation is by a vicar called Nicky Gumbel. We arrived early and were lucky enough to meet Nicky and his wife Pippa almost immediately. I didn't waste ant time, I made a very brief introduction and Jemma snapped a photo before they could change their minds. Awesome. Nicky and Pippa were on their way in to a room where the leaders were preparing for the evenings Alpha. There had to be 50 People in the room. We waited for a few minutes and decided to join in. After all, I am a leader in Canada! We prayed over each other and some leaders told us what to expect that evening. Nick then got up and spoke. Jem and I were in a room with Nicky Gumbel! So cool.
We went upstairs, paid our £4 and goy our dinner and joined some other visitors for the evening presentation. This evenings presentation was filmed and transmitted live all over the UK over the web. We will see if we can look it up when we get home. After the video we joined our small group and were able to chat and get to know a bunch of new people. It was awesome!
Afterwards, Jems and I walked up Knitesbridge to Hyde Park Corner and caught the tube home.
Day 12 - Tavistock Hotel, O2 and Les Miserable
Cheryl met us at the Tavistock Hotel at 10:30. I paid the 5 quid upgrade for the English breakfast which was available as part of our room rate. It was lovely. Canned tomatoes (traditionally grilled or fried), baked beans, sausages and REAL bacon. None if that crappy American streaky bacon burned to a crisp by the Americans. And of course tea and toast to complete the ensemble. In Ireland we had black and white pudding (that's two separate puddings. If you ask what is in it you will not eat it!)
We took the tube to a East Greenwich and climbed the O2. O2 is a stadium, mall, restaurant gallery and movie theatre. It's is a canvas covered structure with twelve supporting posts, is 52 meters high and 352 meters in circumference. No accident. It is located just a few meters from the absolute zero latitude. All world time zones are relative to this point, GMT, Greenwich Mean Time. Cool eh?
It was a steep climb but we were rewarded with some great views of the docklands. Thanks Chezza for arranging that for us. We had lunch at Nandos inside O2 and then off to Oxford Circus for Cheryl's turn to take Jemma shopping. Three new tops and two pairs of jeans, sore feet and a sore back later we headed back to our hotel for a rest before getting ready for the big show Les Miserables!
The show was everything I remembered it to be. I've read Victor Hugo's original book, seen both movie versions and now seen the play twice. It was longer than I remembered it. My bottom was getting a bit sore near the end. Half way through the second half there was a technical hitch as the barricade didn't move into please correctly. There was some unscripted mechanical whining and clicking and then the curtain came down - just as the French soldiers were starting their attack! The curtain came down, the house lights came on and the iPods and iPhones came out. In no time, the news had circulated that Germany had just humiliated Brazil and knocked them out of the World Cup. It became clear that there were mostly Germans in the audience as the whispers became excited conversation around the theatre.
After the show we crossed the road and went into an Italian restaurant for dinner. It was 10:30pm and too late to start shopping around.
It was a steep climb but we were rewarded with some great views of the docklands. Thanks Chezza for arranging that for us. We had lunch at Nandos inside O2 and then off to Oxford Circus for Cheryl's turn to take Jemma shopping. Three new tops and two pairs of jeans, sore feet and a sore back later we headed back to our hotel for a rest before getting ready for the big show Les Miserables!
The show was everything I remembered it to be. I've read Victor Hugo's original book, seen both movie versions and now seen the play twice. It was longer than I remembered it. My bottom was getting a bit sore near the end. Half way through the second half there was a technical hitch as the barricade didn't move into please correctly. There was some unscripted mechanical whining and clicking and then the curtain came down - just as the French soldiers were starting their attack! The curtain came down, the house lights came on and the iPods and iPhones came out. In no time, the news had circulated that Germany had just humiliated Brazil and knocked them out of the World Cup. It became clear that there were mostly Germans in the audience as the whispers became excited conversation around the theatre.
After the show we crossed the road and went into an Italian restaurant for dinner. It was 10:30pm and too late to start shopping around.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Day 11 - Travel to London
On the road again. We took our time getting up. It felt great to sleep in. Paul made omelettes while Sally ironed our clothes. It's been great staying with Paul and Sally. They spoiled us rotten!
We started our 1 1/2hr drive to Knock at 10:30am and boarded our Ryanair flight back to Luton. The one hour flight was blissfully uneventful, we made our transfers to the train station and on to London St Pancras. The Tavistock Hotel is ok. The room is very basic with two single beds. Still, not bad for the centre of London.
We dropped our bags and walked out to Tottenham Court Road in search of Pizza a Express. We found one near Leicester Square. Jemma had the La Reine, ham and mushroom, and I had the Capriciossa, ham, anchovy and egg. Jemma preferred her pizza to mine! It's been over 20 years since I had my favorite pizza and it was awesome.
We walked down to Trafalgar Square. There were celebrations following the London leg of the Tour de France.
We then wandered up a Regent a Street, looked around Hamblys toy store and then circled back to Tottenham Court road and back to our hotel to rest our weary feet.
A big day tomorrow! Climbing O2 and Les Mis with Chezza.
No photos until I can download to a PC. There's no wifi in the room so we have to go the lobby to blog.
We started our 1 1/2hr drive to Knock at 10:30am and boarded our Ryanair flight back to Luton. The one hour flight was blissfully uneventful, we made our transfers to the train station and on to London St Pancras. The Tavistock Hotel is ok. The room is very basic with two single beds. Still, not bad for the centre of London.
We dropped our bags and walked out to Tottenham Court Road in search of Pizza a Express. We found one near Leicester Square. Jemma had the La Reine, ham and mushroom, and I had the Capriciossa, ham, anchovy and egg. Jemma preferred her pizza to mine! It's been over 20 years since I had my favorite pizza and it was awesome.
We walked down to Trafalgar Square. There were celebrations following the London leg of the Tour de France.
We then wandered up a Regent a Street, looked around Hamblys toy store and then circled back to Tottenham Court road and back to our hotel to rest our weary feet.
A big day tomorrow! Climbing O2 and Les Mis with Chezza.
No photos until I can download to a PC. There's no wifi in the room so we have to go the lobby to blog.
Day 10 - more shopping and a show
We took a morning walk down to the shops. It started raining on and off so we sought shelter under trees and bushes. We had a lovely coffee and chocolate eclair. That doesn't sound like much but it was heaven on a plate!
We hopped in the car and drive along the Atlantic road and stopped at an eclectic group of buildings making and selling art. Glass, wool, paint. You name it and they can make cute souvenirs out of it. Seriously, that place is a money vacuum. We bought a whole bunch if trinkets that seem fantastic at the time but will likely end up in a garage sale in 10 years.
We went home and put our feet up for a couple hours. Later on we went in to Galway to see the 'Trad on the Prom'. Many of the performers have worked with Michael Flatley on River Dance and Lord of the Dance. There were all the traditional musical instruments, singers and if course Irish dancers! The show was simply amazing, We came home and watched River Dance on You Tube and drank brandy until 1:30am. I think I ate a pizza too?
We hopped in the car and drive along the Atlantic road and stopped at an eclectic group of buildings making and selling art. Glass, wool, paint. You name it and they can make cute souvenirs out of it. Seriously, that place is a money vacuum. We bought a whole bunch if trinkets that seem fantastic at the time but will likely end up in a garage sale in 10 years.
We went home and put our feet up for a couple hours. Later on we went in to Galway to see the 'Trad on the Prom'. Many of the performers have worked with Michael Flatley on River Dance and Lord of the Dance. There were all the traditional musical instruments, singers and if course Irish dancers! The show was simply amazing, We came home and watched River Dance on You Tube and drank brandy until 1:30am. I think I ate a pizza too?
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Day 9 - Galway Shopping
Despite all negative forecasts and predictions the weather has been fabulous.Apart from the odd shower it's blue sky and sun all the way.
Paul and I popped out to the shops in the morning and bought fixins for a seafood stew. Lovely fresh scallops, hake, smoked cod and king prawns in a tomato broth. Yummy.
At about 11:00am we drive in to Galway town. People were diving off boards into the freezing Atlantic. Crikey!
We found parking and entered the throngs of people in a Classic Saturday market and shopping centre. The streets were buzzing with shoppers holding name branded paper shopping bags, buskers juggling, contorting and playing traditional Gaelic music and pub patrons swelling onto the street ( I'm going for the James Joyce literary award!).
The girls went off in search of a cardigan and more shoes for Jemma's Les Miserables outfit. The cost of Les Miserables is going up every day. Remember I bought some new shoes too.
While the girls shopped Paul and I rested against the wall of the opposite shop basking in the sunlight and people watching. After a delicious lunch the girls carried on their shopping marathon while Paul and I retired to a quiet pub for a couple or three Guinness.
We came home, prepared and ate the fish stew, then put our feet up in front of the telly. Another perfect day!
Paul and I popped out to the shops in the morning and bought fixins for a seafood stew. Lovely fresh scallops, hake, smoked cod and king prawns in a tomato broth. Yummy.
At about 11:00am we drive in to Galway town. People were diving off boards into the freezing Atlantic. Crikey!
Galway High Street
So many shoes, so little time!
The girls went off in search of a cardigan and more shoes for Jemma's Les Miserables outfit. The cost of Les Miserables is going up every day. Remember I bought some new shoes too.
While the girls shopped Paul and I rested against the wall of the opposite shop basking in the sunlight and people watching. After a delicious lunch the girls carried on their shopping marathon while Paul and I retired to a quiet pub for a couple or three Guinness.
We came home, prepared and ate the fish stew, then put our feet up in front of the telly. Another perfect day!
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