Day 8 - Tony's blog of the day's happenings

Set off with Sal at 9am to drive to Basingstoke where we caught the train to Waterloo. Feeling slightly guilty that I’d directed Sharon, Craig and Emily to arrive at Westminster after I’d heard that the Queen would be opening Parliament at roughly the same time knowing that it would be incredibly crowded. On the train I saw Sharon’s Facebook post that they had seen the Queen followed by lots of thumbs up by her Aussie friends so guilt subsided. Second cock up was my suggested meeting place as I arranged that we meet by the Dali sculpture of an elephant close to the London Eye. Turned the corner to see that the sculpture had gone …. two years ago in fact! However close by where it used to be was the unmistakable Sharon. Around the corner we were introduced to Craig and Emily and we took a stroll east along the south bank of the Thames. This was a walk that I would do quite often when I worked in London but in the grey London weather it had seemed to have lost much of its charm. The drab concrete of the Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall were particularly grim but the conversation with newly met rellies brightened the day. The National Theatre’s concrete basement area was sprayed with graffiti which Emily thought was cool enough for a photo. True enough, even graffiti was an improvement on such a drab building. Past the London Television Centre and Oxo Tower building and then diverted away from the river front to avoid demolishing work of a river front building. Back to the Thames at Blackfriars Bridge and under more construction work and scaffolding for the new railway bridge across the Thames. Just beyond we stopped for lunch at the Founders Arms pub. Distinctly average food made me begin to think that I’d chosen a pretty poor route for meeting up with Sharon, Craig and Emily for the first time. However, it was nice to sit down and chat and to get to know each other a little better. On past Bankside Power Station which is now the Tate Modern Gallery where we chose to ignore a Damian Hurst exhibition and under the Millennium Bridge that featured in one of the Harry Potter films. On past Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and what seemed like hundreds of European students and tossed a coin at a sand sculptor who was creating something that none of us could recognise on the Thames "beach". On past the old wharf buildings and down Clink Street which is the home of England’s oldest prison. Past The Golden Hind museum and up Cathedral Street past Southwark Cathedral where Craig and I gazed up at the newly completed Shard building. It may be the tallest building in Western Europe with a penthouse flat costing £50m but Craig and I were unimpressed with the architecture. Craig and Emily were clearly exhausted from their 16 hours long day trip to Paris so we said fond farewells as they headed off to London Bridge tube station. Sharon, Sal and I did a quick tour of Borough Market which is supposedly the site of the oldest market in London going back to Roman times. We saw and photographed The Market Porter Inn which was apparently the "Third Hand Bookshop" in one of the Harry Potter films.

Sharon had heard of an armour museum at the back of Selfridges which we decided to head off to by cab. Once we got north of the river the traffic ground to a halt as many roads had been blocked because of the Queen opening Parliament. So we jumped out of the cab at Aldwich and headed west. Dodged around hundreds of young school children queuing to get into the Lyceum Theatre to see the Lion King and into Covent Garden. Three great ice creams were purchased which we ate whilst walking along King Street, through New Row and the cut through to Wyndam’s Theatre. Across the road and into Leicester Square where we saw lots of folks waiting for the premier of Dark Shadows … or rather waiting for Johnny Depp as they were mainly teenaged girls. Past Chinatown and through to Piccadilly Circus for a quick photo of Eros then up Regent Street where Sharon and Sal were somewhat distracted by lots of handsome young lads standing around in boxer shorts. Sharon and I walk on but Sal has dashed back for a photo with them. Dirty girl! At the end of the curved façade of Radnor House we turn left into Burlington Gardens and then back down through Burlington Arcade where Sharon and Sal gazed at jewelry and fine clothes that would make a millionaires wallet melt. On Piccadilly we head towards the Ritz but the rain comes down and we dive for shelter in a Café Nero. Shower over we head north up Dover Street, Grafton Street and on to New Bond Street for more expensive shops. At Oxford Street we turn left and head towards Selfridges where we stop and I Google for directions for Woolies museum. Nothing found on the web so we head into Selfridges to ask for directions. A quick tour of the shop including a quick peek their own museum showing ladies 1950’s fashion then on to the information desk which is adjacent to a cat walk where young ladies advertise spray tans by walking around in very short shorts. I wasn’t distracted … much, and at least I didn’t dash off to have a photograph taken with them! Very friendly girl advises us it’s the Wallis Collection but they close at 5pm in 45 minutes time. Although we’re offered a map and directions Sal and I realise that our parking at Basingstoke expires at 6pm so the Wallis Collection will have to wait for another day. Back to Bond Street tube where we jump on the Jubilee line for Waterloo station. Hugs with Sharon at Westminster where we say farewell. We arrive at Waterloo with three minutes before a Basingstoke train departs and manage to squeeze ourselves into a commuter train out of London. Standing room only, steamed up windows and sweat pouring off my brow I remember why I hated commuting into London for work. At Surbiton half the passengers get out and Sal and I find ourselves a seat. Relax! Home just after 7pm, feet up and reflect on a grey damp day in London where we met three fabulous rellies. Sorry that Craig and Emily have not seen the best of London due to the weather (and my choice of meeting place) but looking forward to meeting with Sharon again in a little while.

Day 8 – Walking around London with Rellies

Today was an exciting day as I was to meet a cousin for the very first time.  I have never met a cousin in my life, I have oodles of them, but not one in Australia.  On our way there, Kylie sent an SMS about the Queen opening Parliament and as it happens we had to get off the train at Westminster.  Outside we got a front row view just up from the entrance and managed to see her arrive in the Royal Coach! 

As the roads we all blocked off, I got some good photos of Big Ben as we could stand on the road with no bus's or cars! We arranged to meet Tony and Sally by the ‘invisible’ elephant next to the London Eye.  I recognised Tony instantly, thanks to the internet & Facebook, so there was no ‘wearing red carnations in the lapel’ lark as to recognise each other!  Well, it was a great day. Tony and his wife Sally walked us down the South Bank explaining and naming the relevant sites .. of course there were building works, pavement laying, scaffolding everywhere (as I have noticed London being full of it).  We went to a riverside pub for lunch, which was quite mediocre.  We walked through the Southwark area which has the oldest goal in London etc.  Here Craig and Emily left us as they both were suffering very sore feet from all the walking around Paris yesterday, but I soldiered on.

We decided to hit the other side of town, so we caught a taxi.  Here we walked around Covent Garden, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, the West End areas.  There was a  crowd of girls building up out front of one of the West End theatres, they were all waiting for Johnny Depp, we decided not to stay are it was quite cold and rain was looming.  Down the street there were all these guys in red boxer shorts and shirts lined up along the outside of a building, they were models for underwear, but stayed in their boxers whilst we were there  !!!

We strolled down a very expensive shopping mall, where most items didn’t have a price.  We had a lovely ice cream at some market area, somewhere!  What a choice of ice creams there were, vodka ones, toblerone, caramel popcorn, sorbets etc.  I had one scoop of dark chocolate and one scoop of caramel, yum yum yum.  When it started to rain heavily we were across from the Ritz, but as we were dressed not quite ‘proper’ we had a coffee in the shop across the road.

We made our was to the big department store called Selfridges .. absolutely enormous, we were looking for this museum I wanted to go to that has a display of suits of armour.  The information desk in Selfridges helped us out with a map and directions, but as the time was getting late, we didn’t go to the museum.  So we decided to head off to the nearest Underground station and make our way home.  I left Tony and Sally t the Westminster station, changed trains back to Gloucester station near our hotel!  What a great day and Tony and Sally are very friendly, wonderful people! J

One of the 'so called' beaches on the River Thames

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

The Queen arriving to open Parliament

Policemen

Quaint shop in Southwark

Shakespeares Globe

Day 7 – London to Paris

It was a 6.30 start this morning.  We had to get to St Pancras station on the other side of London, as we were not sure on how busy the Tube would be this time of morning (as it is a working day) we got a taxi.  This is another very large building and station.  As we were going overseas we had the usual passport and security checks.  I am glad we were there early, we managed to get a table near the coffee shop and stayed there till boarding.  We were in the Standard Premier carriage, which had lovely wide, reclining seats just right for snoozing!  We were supplied with breakfast, tea and coffee.  The trip was very smooth and the train does go at great speed.  The English side was very misty, green and had an unkempt look.  When we popped out on the other side of the tunnel you could tell immediately we were in a different country, it was sunny, warm and very manicured.

The train station was not as nice as the London end.  Trying to find a loo was a task, in the train station you  had to put coins in to enter, as we had no coins on us yet we thought we would find one outside, hah!  Went to Maccas they didn’t have one, the outside loo nearby wasn’t working, so we ended up asking at a hotel and they let us use theirs.  Everywhere smelled like stale urine and you had to watch where you stepped as there is muck and rubbish everywhere.  We walked down towards the river in Paris, this is where things went downhill, both Emily and myself never felt so frightened in our lives.  We were hassled by Colombians shoving brochures in our faces, they all stand around in groups leaning on buildings watching you walk by and menacing people, with both sides of the road the same.  Eventually after a km or so it suddenly changed, 

for the better.  Got tidier, then the Police sirens started.  Dozens and dozens of Police vans were going around with their lights and sirens on, they were all decked out in riot clothes!  When at the river we thought of going on the open topped bus that takes you around Paris to all the sights and 

has a commentary on the history etc.  We walked and walked along the river till we found a bus stop.  This area was very clean and full of tourists.  I see that money is spent on these areas but not anywhere else in Paris, which is a big shame.  The bus tour was great and took us to all the sights, we were on this for just over 2 hours.  We saw a protest happening and all the Police in 

riot gear waiting around in case something happened. We decided to hop off and slowly walked back to the train station and again the mess, muck and urine got worse the further we got from the ‘sights’ and the closer to the train station.  People take their dogs into eating places and even the train station, I was amazed when a dog cocked his leg onto a shop front in the train station and no-one blinked an eyelid, hence the smell everywhere.  Also everyone seems to smoke, and they smoke everywhere, how far advanced Australia is!  We sat in a food place whilst waiting to be able to get through customs etc as we were early and had enough of Paris! 

The English man in border control was funny as he asked how long I was staying in England, I said 40 days and was hoping for some sunshine, he said you know what they say about 40 days and 40 nights! LOL.  Whilst waiting for the train I chatted to the lady next to me about Paris, she said that it has deteriorated in the last 5 years or so, as she hadn’t been there for that time and was shocked at it!  Anyhow I doubt very much I will ever return, as they say it is all hype!

We got back in London and actually got a London Cab .. they are so roomy and as expected we went through all sorts of back streets as only a Londoner would know, it was great seeing it all at night.  We got in at about 10pm, so knackered, sore swollen feet and extremely tired!

Day 6 – London to Sussex

Experienced the Tube (Underground) for the first time today.  I must say I was impressed with the speed, ease of use etc.  We got the Tube to Victoria Station , which is a huge ornate building and a major station in London.  

We then had to go via normal train to East Grinstead in Sussex. Such quiet trains and the seats leave our trains for dead!  At East Grinstead a taxi was there to meet us and took us a few miles away to the historic train station, where we met Kylie and Tom who arrived via the steam train.  

We sat the newly restored carriage that Tom has helped with and Kylie also has helped by polishing the brass.  Today was the carriages first trip out!  We sat at a table and had tea, coffee, scones, jam and clotted cream.  It was brilliant, even Kylie made GF scones for the two of us (yes she is following in my footsteps with her food intollerances).  We went to Sheffield Park and back. 

The weather was misty, drizzly and very cold!  Then we returned back to Fraser Place to defrost!!!

Day 5 - London – The Victoria and Albert Museum

Today we went to the Victoria Albert museum … WOW … it is a place you can spend days and days in, well actually you have to, to be able to see everything.  Where do I begin, it is endless.  I was so impressed with the ‘parts’ of old buildings, some having to be 20 metres tall and goodness knows how much they weigh.  There are samples of fine silk weaving and embroidery using the web of golden orb spiders!  The costumes from stage shows were impressive, then there is the jewelery section dating from 1500bc to current times.  Stained glass windows that are hundreds of years old, monumental inscriptions from 1700’s, tapestries that are absolutely enormous and hundreds of years old.  Silverware, sculptures from all over the world, religious artefacts that are so old.  Absolutely endless and we only saw about ¼ of it, so we have to go back again.  As for the décor in the tea rooms,  speechless.  I did take photos but my camera was playing up and died, so I used Craig’s for awhile, but infortunately I have to delete lots of photos L .. but there is next time.