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Right, Right, Your Bloody Well Right!
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, the Missus and I are embarking on our first ever trip to England. Land of my fore fathers. According to Ancestry.com, my great-grandfather immigrated to America at the turn of the last century. On his marriage certificate, he was a 26 year old "laborer" and my grandmother was a 22 year old "spinster". Wow, how positively Jane Eyre. So I'm guessing neither of them lived on an estate or knew Mr. Darcy. Gramps grew up in Sussex in a little town called, Cheddar on Toast. I jest, but but he was close to Kent. Coming from a country saturated with Springfields and Greenvilles, you gotta love those English names. Stratford on Avon, Stow-on the-Wold. We will be visiting the later town and I will report back to you what a Stow is and who put it on the Wold! We will be in England for a month but the first leg of our tour is:
7 Days - London 4 Days - Salisbury w/ Stonehenge 3 Days - Bath Ending with two weeks on a Rick Steves tour starting in Bath. Last fall we did a Croatia / Slovenia trip and loved it so much, we decided to try another trip. We have opted to identify as Canadians and have supplied ourselves with the appropriate amount of Maple Leaf-ed shirts and ball caps and numerous bottles of Maple Syrup to fool the public with our Canuckness. So sit back and enjoy the ride! Roll Up, roll up for the Mystery Tour...mind the gap. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6fbf21e10.jpeg Our Mystery Tour starts on Virgin Atlantic. We have opted for Virgin's Economy Delight class, which is essentially Economy and then a flight attendant comes by every hour and says, "How delightful", but it is in a crisp English accent which is...delightful. Great leg room on the flight although it seemed like the seats were narrower? |
Day One - Arriving in Londontown
The flight was fine, 9 1/2 hours. Left at 3:30PM on the dot. Highlight of the flight was that I found, Becoming Led Zeppelin on the entertainment list. I missed it in the States when it came out a few months ago. Spent two hours bopping my head and doing air drum rolls. The 20 something young lady next to me, smiled and said, my grandfather used to play Led Zeppelin records, good on ya gramps and thank you for your service. Customs was a breeze, No stamp!!! Passport on the viewer and smile into the camera. Walked a fair distance to the Elizabeth line to go to Paddington Station. Cost 11lbs, 3 ounces. (Damn, I hope I figure out this money deal). We had watched numerous You Tube videos showing us how easy it was to catch the line, and it is well marked, but on arriving to where you tap in, all of the lines were backed up because only one reader was working. There seemed to be a bunch of assistants helping to get people through so it wasn't total chaos, just a longer wait. On YouTube the presenters simply step on the line and on their way, in our case the concourse was packed with people and a woman on the speaker telling us to Move Down, Move Down, but we packed into the tube and made our way to Paddington station. We are staying at the Days Inn Hyde Park. Kind of embarrassing staying at a Days Inn but it was on points. So it was close to free. I will be calling it Ye Olde Days Inn for the rest of my posts. We were let into our tiny room at noon, which was nice. Unpacked a bit then took a walk for coffee and to the Wallace Collection. We are staying on Sussex Gardens and part of our street reminds us of Zagreb for some reason. Get a coffee and on to the Wallace Collection which is in an old mansion that belonged to the Duke of Hertford or maybe he was the Marquis, and then bequeathed to his illegitimate son, Sir Richard Wallace. The collection is free, it's beautiful, and the perfect way to spend our first afternoon. Our goal here is to stay up as late as possible so we can get on a schedule for tomorrow. Had dinner at a place called Hayat on Spring St. Excellent, kind of an Egyptian meets Mediterranean cuisine. Met our first local, a nice gent next to us and wished us a happy visit to London. We had envisioned taking the Tube to the East End to visit Spitalfields Market...didn't happen. After dinner and returning to the Old Days Inn, about 4:30PM, we ended up visiting the bed and watching Indiana Jones on the on the other Tube! https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ae1047d9e.jpeg The front of the Wallace House https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...364309f39.jpeg Lots of Louis the 14th china, furniture and tons of paintings. It's really worth a visit when you are here in London, it's in Marylebone. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9892354ae.jpeg Painting by some guy called Rembrandt. I hope he was succesful https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9ca21b16a.jpeg On the walk we saw all of these charming little gardens, but no way to get in, then we saw this sign. Did I tell you I know Mr. Darcy? https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ae0d4c357.jpeg Behind the Paddington Station and St. Mary's Hospital is the Paddington Basin, once and still a canal, but now they are building really upscale building and apartments along the canal. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3561c320a.jpeg Another shot of the Canal https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...67de07c48.jpeg This is the door that Princess Diana and Princess Kate came out holding up their babies to show the world. An heir and a spare! It's right on the road called the Wharf Road and it's very non-descript, not Royal at all |
Very interesting (and entertaining :-)), following along!
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Tdiddy there is the coolest pub close to your hotel called the Sussex arms, you can sit in an Concorde seat while drinking your beverage. It has this weird clockwork orange thing going on. You would never know if from the outside.. I always stop by if I am staying at Paddington.
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Hey, at least the currency went decimal. In the Before Times (1970), my mother would hold out her handful of change and let the shop clerk pick out the appropriate coins.
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You're off to a great start Tdiddy, count me in for the Magical Mystery Tour.
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rialtogrl - So good to hear from you, I hope you have been well. The Sussex Arms is indeed right around the corner. I will have to go have a pint!
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...37de003d9.jpeg Pretty modern looking establishment. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cb415f740.jpeg Here are the seats of which you spoke. |
Day 2 - Early AM
In 1972 I was a 19 year old snot nosed exchange student in the Netherlands. I was in Amsterdam and saw a poster for a film, the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park from 1969. Right after Brian died. That little bumpkin from Michigan, never thought he would ever be in Hyde Park! Today was the day. Mick and Keith, however, were nowhere in sight. Woke up at 4 AM, laid in bed until 6 and then thought, hey I am 6 minutes from Hyde Park, so out the door I go. Entered near the Italian Gardens, didn't stay long but it was memorable to me. It was also the beginning of day of firsts. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b693bc96d.jpeg After years of scraping Americans and others off their roads, the British are giving us a big heads up. Your not in Kansas anymore Dorothy, look to the Right! Already saved our lives. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3d8fea4c1.jpeg This was a gardner's cottage in Hyde Park. There is supposedly a pet cemetary behind it but I couldn't get a good view. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c99bec01b.jpeg Victoria, looking out for the Garden. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0fb910419.jpeg I was so focussed on the two geese, I almost missed this heron! |
Day 2 - Day of Firsts
Had a nice breakfast at the Ye Olde Days Inn and then off to the Tube. Second of firsts! We got off at Charing Cross and headed to St. Martin-in-the-fields, quick look around, over to Trafalgar Square to give our respects to Admiral Nelson (I hope that guy didn't have fear of heights) and then into the National Gallery. Stunning, I'll say it again, a stunning building with an amazing collection. Lunch was at the Chandos pub. Third first, my first warm beer in London. We had planned on walking down Whitehall but we were bushed so back to the hotel for a nap and gear up for the afternoon. Let me say right here, some of my Canadian talk was hyperbole, we didn't bring any Maple Syrup and we haven't told anyone we're Sor-r-r-y. The Canadians will get that! I am wearing a Canadian hat though. We have met nothing but wonderful people, eager to talk to us, where are you from, first time to London etc. In fact in 50 years of travel I have never had any problems, people generally like Americans, they don't always like our government. We went to Paris right after Bush invaded Iraq, again no problems although there were protests everywhere. Here's some photos: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ef6fa4946.jpeg Super simple to hop on the Tube. Whenever I see Baker Street, my first thought is of the Saxophone riff on the great song Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty. Then I think of that Holmes guy. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d14add841.jpeg Cross above the altar in St. Martins-in-the-field. Probably the happiest cross I have ever seen. Enough of the grumpy crosses already. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0a6efa40a.jpeg Shot of the water court in front of the National Gallery https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...643947377.jpeg A hall way in the National Gallery. Such an amazing building. We were told it is the first building in the world built to as a museum. (You can fact check me on that but thats what I was told. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...45588b027.jpeg Look at those yellows. Do you think Van Gogh's parents had his stuff on their refrigerator. It's good son, but quite a bit of yellow? https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3aeab8cbd.jpeg Guess who this great painting is by? If said Picasso, you would be right. I didn't guess it when I first approached this painting. |
Day 2 PM
After a great nap we are out the door again! Another first, first bus ride in London. Jumped on the 148 from Bayswater to Westminster Abbey. Up on the top deck right in front, great views, nice to not be walking. About a 30 minute trip. My advice for London, forget the Hop Off bus, just get on some random bus and go for a ride, it's a real treat. Walked around Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square, out on the bridge looking back on the Parliament and then to a pub for fish and chips, last first of the day. Came back pretty tired but should get some good sleep tonight! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6cd5237b9.jpeg Photo from the bus, so many interesting statues. Road past Buckingham Palace, no one home. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e4c5f23d0.jpeg This reminds me of the story of how the Dutch bought Manhattan from the natives for $23 and two tickets to Hamilton https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9da50a517.jpeg The Man. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7483266d3.jpeg The Eye, it's about 40 pounds per person. As in Eye don't think so! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...26fdc1748.jpeg In this corner, the one, the only BIG BEN https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c99a68f21.jpeg Westminster Abbey https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b4aa82c2a.jpeg The person depicted in the middle of this frieze is Martin Luther King, I am not fibbing. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...273b33b52.jpeg St. Stephens Tavern. Great atmosphere and fish and chips https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...152b5ccf8.jpeg Another shot. This is where the politicos hang out. The waiter said generally on Thursday nights. There is a light in the bar that lights up when a vote is being taken and the politicians scamper across the street and vote the way the lobbyists told them |
Several posts have been deleted and/or edited for political comments and inappropriate language. Let's keep the travel boards a politics-free zone.
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Originally Posted by Tdiddy12
(Post 17654972)
rialtogrl - So good to hear from you, I hope you have been well. The Sussex Arms is indeed right around the corner. I will have to go have a pint!
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...37de003d9.jpeg Pretty modern looking establishment. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cb415f740.jpeg Here are the seats of which you spoke. https://www.theheronpaddington.com so cozy and good Thai food too. |
Very strange, I saw your picture of the Tube map and immediately I smelt the Tube smell. The human brain is a very strange thing.
I note that the title has not been moderated ;-) |
Hot Damn rialtogrl - the Heron is already on our list. We just walked by it Sunday and didn't realize it was so close to our hotel. Let me ask you, is there any part of the world you don't know about? LOL
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Bilboburgler - we are loving the Tube. I have been properly chastened, no more politics. Just the facts, ma'am
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Originally Posted by Tdiddy12
(Post 17655075)
Hot Damn rialtogrl - the Heron is already on our list. We just walked by it Sunday and didn't realize it was so close to our hotel. Let me ask you, is there any part of the world you don't know about? LOL
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Day 3 - Stations and Horses
Actually got some pretty good sleep last night. Didn't wake up until 6:00PM and felt rested and ready for the day. Last night we walked down Whitehall from Parliament but it was almost dark and everything closed up. We are off to the Cortauld Gallery today in the Somerset House but we decided to take the Tube to Charing Cross and back down Whitehall from Trafalgar to see a few sights in the day time. We get to the horse guards and they were out in all of their glory. There is a gate between the horses which leads into the parade grounds, St. James Park and ultimately over to Buckingham Palace. Let's take a peak shall we? It's not quite 11AM so we walk through and notice a number of people standing behind a roped off area. Then to our surprise, here comes the horse guards, about 7 of the most beautiful black stallions. This is apparently the changing of the guard for the horses, not the famous changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace but one that was very exciting nonetheless! https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9ba655476.jpeg Our center for transport in London, Paddington Station... https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cacdf4e92.jpeg ...our stop at Charing Cross https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bbb0577ff.jpeg I don't know how long their shifts are, but it is a testament to both rider and horse. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cff65d2d4.jpeg Horse Guard with Union Jack https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7b8f934fc.jpeg Here comes the Cavalry! They rode in and the then turned and formed a line and then they broke off in twos and probably relieved the guys we just saw, and eventually all seven of them rode through the gate toward Whitehall. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5ba553b5a.jpeg This is the line the broke from, you can see one rider in the back already moving out. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bd1d73ff8.jpeg The head guy, I guess, he had the most gold braids and was bossing the other guys around! |
VERY entertaining trip report! Thank you! I love your photography and commentary, I can't wait for more
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Day 3 Part 2 - Painting and Bridges
After our good luck with the horse sighting, we are off down the Strand to Somerset House. The Somerset House is on the site of an old Tudor Palace, it's spectacular and the Cortauld Gallery is just a little part of it. I want to take a minute and talk about how amazing we are finding London. I can only think of two cities I have visited, Paris and New York, that contain those spots that have been burned into your mind over years of movies, documentaries, books etc. Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Big Ben. You know what I'm talking about, but so far every building I'm seeing is fantastic. I mean just the light pools are works of art. So we get to the Cortauld, great show, works collected by a Swiss collector who was a friend of Cortaulds and his museum in Switzerland is being refurbished, so his collection is here. It ends in 5 days so we were lucky to get in. Stopped for a sandwich at Dilietos. Sandwiches since 1911, did not disappoint, then in search of the Millennium Bridge to the Tate Modern. Crossed the bridge and in the middle of the Tate, a former Power station...we have run out of "personal" juice. No power left in our old bodies. So we Uber'ed home with a Ugandan driver who wants to come to America to see cowboys. How do we let him down easy! https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...23b6e651c.jpeg Outside of the Somerset House going into the Cortauld Gallery https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...64c9955d5.jpeg Great stairwell in the Cortauld Gallery https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a9d5349ee.jpeg Another shot of the stairwell https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...328f17ec8.jpeg My favorite Manet https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1690642ee.jpeg This is a Monet of melting ice and it was fantastic https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8616f88d2.jpeg Another Manet https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...498b04179.jpeg Some Random painting https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...31b01e35a.jpeg One of the great Cezanne still lifes. It looks like the peaches are falling out of the plate https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7bca55bb0.jpeg You are now entering the City of London. London is actually only one square https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9b2f39e2d.jpeg The Tate Modern looking form the Millennium Bridge, the pedestrian bridge over the Thames https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...27658b818.jpeg This is one of my favorite photos. Looking back at the Millennium Bridge and St. Pauls in the background. |
Day 4 - In the Early Morning Rain
First rain of the trip. A pretty steady sprinkle, but I still elected to celebrate my inner Gene Kelly and went for a walk in the rain. No singing though. We once were fortunate enough to attend a screening of an American in Paris and Gene Kelly's widow was there and she recalled that Gene had a 103 degree temperature when he filmed that scene. Think about that the next time you are Singing in the Rain. Random shots of Paddington Station at 7AM https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5035fa93f.jpeg Trains of the Great Western Railway. We will be taking one of these to Salisbury on Sunday. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f0f70ccd8.jpeg Statue inside Paddington commemorating some war https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...592ba5470.jpeg Cool clock. Hey looks like it's time for a cuppa https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a0ad4618d.jpeg Paddington Bear. Michael Bond bought a stuffed bear for his wife in 1958 and named it Paddington after the station. Books and movies followed. His such a big star now, he wouldn't even speak to me https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f3c11fbff.jpeg Paddington bench with plaque https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5056e93a6.jpeg Giant food court outside of the station. I get a kick out of this given my love of Mexico, the restaurant you can see is called Wahaca, which specializes in food from Oaxaca. How phonetic of them. |
More Day 4 - Yeah, Yeah, Yeahhhh
Today was a big day for a couple of Mid Westerners, we are taking a Beatles tour with Michael Purvis. He gives an excellent Beatles tour. Met at Baker St Tube then into places we had read about but we would have never found on our own. I am posting some of the highlights. We really got into the back streets and saw the side of London you don't see from Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square etc. Trident Studios is so tucked away you would never notice it. Queen, David Bowie, the Stones and even the Beatles recorded here. Saw Jane Asher's house where Paul lived and wrote Yesterday among others. It was supposed to be a 4 hour tour, but we were the only ones signed up so it was private and Michael and I exchanged all of our Beatle facts, even took a break at a Pub right next to where they shot the cover for Ziggy Stardust. Highlight might have been the crossing at Abbey Road. We didn't Get Back to the Ye Olde Days Inn until almost 6PM and we have tickets to see New Orleans Jazz in the Crypt at St Martin at 7PM. Gonna need some down time tomorrow! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5baac1fe7.jpeg Start of the Tour outside of Baker Station with Sherlock Holmes on the watch. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...663b161e2.jpeg Ringo's house in the sixties. He and Maureen lived here, then he rented it to Jimi Hendrix. The neighbors weren't happy. Hendrix finally moved out and John Lennon moved in and proceeded to get busted for pot! There goes the neighborhood https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...642a7612c.jpeg On top of this roof the Beatles performed live for the last time. It's so much smaller than all of the photos and videos I have seen over the years. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ff34f4037.jpeg Plaque on the building https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7dc7dab42.jpeg Two Beatle Maniacs in the door way. There was a lot of pictures of this door in Peter Jackson's documentary Get Back. This is where the Bobbies were trying to get in to shut down that racket! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ef85bc882.jpeg Door to Abbey Road. Some of the last shots of the boys sitting on these steps.... https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e51a07c37.jpeg Then up and across the famous street. Everything seemed so much smaller https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...429555397.jpeg The cover of Ziggy Stardust was shot here but not much left except this plaque https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...55ddc7272.jpeg Random Mews where Mick Jagger used to live https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...163e1bd9e.jpeg The gate to Paul's house. He didn't answer, probably busy https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...72eaaeba6.jpeg The band at St. Martins-in-the Field. So a great venue. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0b3174b08.jpeg The band, Fallen Heroes ended with a I Saw Her Standing There, so appropriate. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f13dd2549.jpeg We were sitting right next to this Stone. Not Rolling anymore. Probably was more into Bach then Dixieland https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7bb07be6d.jpeg Final shot of the evening coming out of the Tube at Paddington Station. We put in 23,000 steps today! |
Originally Posted by rialtogrl
(Post 17655062)
Stupendo! Here’s another one - tons of royal memorabilia
https://www.theheronpaddington.com so cozy and good Thai food too. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c317581b3.jpeg About three blocks from our hotel, great little pub with excellent Thai food. We talked to the manager about the "different" line up of food and he said that the owner has another place on Southbank with the same theme. People love something different than fish and chips |
Day 5 - Recovering from 24K steps
We needed a break today from yesterday. We think we walked about 10 miles! So had a late breakfast. It ends at 9...and they kick you out at 9! We really don't want to do a big walk so we take the bus to Buckingham Palace. It's grand, lots of statues and gates and gardens, but once you've seen it, there's not much to do. Wandered over to St. James Palace which doesn't look like much on the outside but inside it's supposed to be quite fancy. Lunch on Piccadilly street at an Italian place where everyone speaks Italian. No one in London speaks English! OK, that's a gross overstatement, but you hear a lot of languages, it's like you don't have to travel around the World just go to London, they are all there. Tonight I headed out to Regent Street and Picadilly Circus. Some amazing buildings. Will put in pictures! |
Tdiddy12, what a great trip report. I am so enjoying reading this.
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Pictures from Day 5
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1b39cb219.jpeg English Ubers! Actually right around the corner from our hotel is the Hyde Park Stables. There is still a lot of horse back riding in Hyde Park. These particular horses left us quite a few presents as we crossed the street. You have to mind more than the gap around Hyde Park! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a2c1b05e1.jpeg Continuing with the Horse Theme. This is one incredible statue just at the tip of Hyde Park before getting off on the way to Buckingham Palace. I can't find the name, if anyone knows, please help me out. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bef793636.jpeg Outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, not too crowded today but they have already done the changing of the Guards. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...73c1ee1a5.jpeg Close up of the Gate. Quite impressive. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f62f41d7e.jpeg Queen Victoria Memorial. As an American, I'm not sure how I feel about the whole monarchy thing. It seems kind of outdated at this point, but thats not my call to make. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d8dd48890.jpeg Here she is, Victoria. I can never see a picture of Victoria without hearing the Kinks, singing, Victoria on Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire). That album is almost 60 years old! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b056518b9.jpeg Regardless of how I might feel about the Monarchy, they supply a lot of jobs, there were 12 gardeners working on this row of plants. We watched each gardener measure the distant between each plant with their trowels. Very precise. This is before... https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...afa4c1b00.jpeg ...and this is after (different plot) https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f5605829a.jpeg And this is how nice it looks in front of Buckingham Palace https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cf3475e38.jpeg Here's the old digs of the Royals, St. James Palace. Doesn't look like much outside but I've seen inside photos and it's pretty cool https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5a9b1994e.jpeg Entrance to Burlington Arcade. Lot's of pretty expensive stuff in here. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...70a86b618.jpeg We bought some tiaras for the big ball tonight. I'm sure we will be invited. We kept the receipts, right? https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...366a973d6.jpeg Lunch at Cicchetti's. Everyone spoke Italian, I get it, it makes sense, but I've been to Olive Garden and they don't speak Italian https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ed8faeaac.jpeg Entrance to the Royal Academy of Arts, really impressive building. Just a heads up, we kept following the signs for "Burlington Gardens", where are these freaking gardens...Burlington Gardens is a street, not actual gardens! Luckily we figured it our before we asked anyone. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aa9835e04.jpeg Another horse statue...boy they love their horses here. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2abf2dd42.jpeg Regent St. The British are celebrating VE Day, which was in May, so lot's of Union Jacks. I thought it was a Who Concert https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4c7b72d80.jpeg Quirky little garden at the end of our street, Sussex Gardens |
Originally Posted by millie2112
(Post 17655607)
Tdiddy12, what a great trip report. I am so enjoying reading this.
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Originally Posted by Tdiddy12
(Post 17655603)
Hey rialtogrl - Mission accomplished, dinner at the Heron and was really good and the bar had some great memorabilia as you stated. I collect coins and they had a number of plaques with different coins through the ages. Hopefully will make it back
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c317581b3.jpeg About three blocks from our hotel, great little pub with excellent Thai food. We talked to the manager about the "different" line up of food and he said that the owner has another place on Southbank with the same theme. People love something different than fish and chips enjoy your last days, great report. |
Day 6 - In Three Part Harmony / Morning
Not sure how harmonious it was but there were three distinctive parts of our day. The first one was a solo trip around Hyde Park. On top of being huge, Hyde Park is a very peaceful place even filled with people and dogs as it was today. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0c0f2e477.jpeg View of the Serpentine Lake looking back at the Italian Gardens https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e587e311c.jpeg Another horse statue! This one is on the way to Kensington Gardens in the middle of a big field. It's called the Physical Energy Statue https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...39167b3c5.jpeg Mother and daughter banquet https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...167f5d6da.jpeg Lot's of Swans on the Round Pond https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9bfc6e0e6.jpeg One of the entries to Kensington Palace https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f0bb08058.jpeg William the Orange or William the third https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...410889861.jpeg Looking over the Albert Memorial from the South Flower Walk https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...af1a254be.jpeg Part of the Flower Walk https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4dc166a2e.jpeg I saw a mother and son feeding birds out of there hands and she gave me a couple of crackers. These little guys are fearless. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...559eba982.jpeg The Albert Memorial. Far bigger and more luxurious than I could have imagined. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...54c790dd2.jpeg Albert sits in his memorial and watches over the Royal Albert hall https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...702643829.jpeg A wider shot of the memorial https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...223e9f382.jpeg Queen Victoria, she must have been good, she had the job for 60 years. |
Day 6 - Second Part Harmony
We did a Rick Steves walk from his guide book called the West End Walk. It runs from Leicester Square to Soho, but we dropped the Soho part. Took the bus to Piccadilly Square and we are on our way. Stopped at Leicester Square, could have been a number of places in the world filled with teenagers and chain restaurants. Covent Garden was fun, not a garden much anymore. Had lunch in 7 Dials Market area then on to Denmark Street so I could see Regent Sound Studios, home of some of my favorite bands, Kinks, Stones, the Who and at storefront #20 a guy named Reg Dwight wrote Your Song...oh and changed his name to Elton John! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d63524cfa.jpeg Up on the double-decker, next stop Piccadilly Square https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...00cb93ccd.jpeg I believe this the God Eros, it sits in the middle of Picadilly Circus. A big magnet for sitting down and getting your photo taken https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f30ab6e91.jpeg Mary Poppins in the park at Leicester Square https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...08616cf59.jpeg This guy Shakespeare keeps popping up over here. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...df245caf8.jpeg Entrance into Covent Gardens https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...17a58eae6.jpeg There were a few flowers at Covent Garden but mostly shops and eating https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...68aed1634.jpeg Classic street performer. Bring in a cute young girl to help out his routine and generate more tips! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7a5347685.jpeg Walked past this pub and a soccer riot was going on, riot of fun that is, all of these guys were blocking the streets singin https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...683e6b030.jpeg Now the soccer guys are blowing smoke up each others...well you can imagine https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5325a3423.jpeg Cool old Theater with a Harry Potter play https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dc97572b1.jpeg This is a place called Pick N Cheese, they have portions of cheese on a conveyor belt like dim sum. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0495a3288.jpeg 7 Dials Market https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bec88e150.jpeg This is where it all happened. Now this street, Denmark St, if filled with guitar shops, so music is still in the air |
It looks like Sunderland fans have started a day early ahead of tomorrow’s play-off final. It’s likely to get more lively tomorrow when everyone else gets down to London. You might find it a bit confusing as their opponents Sheffield United also usually play in red and white stripes. The game is often dubbed the richest game in football, with the winning team guaranteed around £250m.
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Haven't read a trip report in a while but am enjoying this. Glad you're having fun in one of my favorite cities. Also, the Pick and Cheese needs to go on my list.
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Some great photos and it reminds me just how green London is. I think it claims the largest urban forest title but...
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Day 6 - Third Part Harmony, the Graham Nash of our day if you will.
The British Museum, what more can I say. I'm starting to poop out after a 1 1/2 hour walk in Hyde Park and the West End tour but we have tickets and we are going! Really easy entry, it is 3:30PM on a Friday night. Went straight to Egypt. So many things to see, amazing artifacts, statues, coffins, mummies and those are just the people milling around in the Great Hall. Somewhat finished Egypt, went to Assyria...and it was closed for the day. That's it, mic drop, I am done. On the Tube back to Ye Olde Days Inn. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a48175cec.jpeg Front of the Massive British Museum https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3c22e1269.jpeg Lion in the Great Hall. The hall is very impressive and we haven't even stepped inside https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...33fb968e8.jpeg The Rosetta Stone, apparently discovered by Rosetta and allowed us to transcribe heiroglyphs. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b2fcba76c.jpeg Funny story, after we translated all of this stuff it turned out to be passwords for an ancient Egypt computer https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...086b28f7c.jpeg One of many amazing sacorphagus or is sacorphagi? https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e734d816c.jpeg Gebelein Man, or Ginger to his friends. This man died 5,400 years ago and was buried in the hot sand which protected his body. His posessions are around him, a few bowls and a flint blade. You can still see wisps of hair! Many think he is still waiting for the cable guy to show up https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...eff6b5cab.jpeg Various murals on display in the stairwell https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7a9a381d6.jpeg We got to see the Human-Headed Winged Lions and a few wall carvings but the long hall was closed. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...561c5716f.jpeg One of the wall carvings we did get to see |
Originally Posted by JohnEW2912
(Post 17655782)
It looks like Sunderland fans have started a day early ahead of tomorrow’s play-off final. It’s likely to get more lively tomorrow when everyone else gets down to London. You might find it a bit confusing as their opponents Sheffield United also usually play in red and white stripes. The game is often dubbed the richest game in football, with the winning team guaranteed around £250m.
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Originally Posted by bilboburgler
(Post 17655850)
Some great photos and it reminds me just how green London is. I think it claims the largest urban forest title but...
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Originally Posted by JohnEW2912
(Post 17655782)
It looks like Sunderland fans have started a day early ahead of tomorrow’s play-off final. It’s likely to get more lively tomorrow when everyone else gets down to London. You might find it a bit confusing as their opponents Sheffield United also usually play in red and white stripes. The game is often dubbed the richest game in football, with the winning team guaranteed around £250m.
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there will also be around 35,000 from Sheffield as well. Just one goal in a game at Bramall lane two weeks ago and I might have been there with my team!
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Day 7 - Final Day in London
For our last day we decided to do the Bankside Walk in the Rick Steve's guide book. Took the Tube to London Bridge Station, walked out on the bridge taking in the views from the Thames. Went down some narrow step off of the bridge which brought us to the Southwark Cathedral.. Maybe this Cathedral is not at grand as Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's but it's a worth a look. It goes back to 1207. Left the Cathedral and right into Borough Market. COMPLETE chaos. So many people, eating, laughng, some are even moving when they get a chance. We picked up some cheese and salami and made a picnic at Cafe Nero, right next to the Golden Hinde, Sir Francis Drake's ride. Furhter down the Bankside we saw what is left of Winchester Palace, there is only one wall left, but it has a cool glassless window. Headed to the Tate Modern for the second time this trip. I don't get it, the building is amazing, but the art work is scattered all over, not easy to find, I think they should have the French come over and organize it for them. Took an Uber boat from the Tate to Westminster Square and our trip is finished. Back to Ye Olde Days Inn to pack. Tomorrow Salisbury! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f3822046e.jpeg You are now officially in the City of London https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7a54de0e8.jpeg That Shakespeare Guy again. He attended Southwark Cathedral https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a5b07f5b3.jpeg This is chapel dedicated to John Harvard was a rich guy. He inherited a bunch of money, moved to Boston and started Harvard University. What...wait...you are telling me Harvard was started by a foreigner? Interesting https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...969411701.jpeg On the curb at Borough Market. Any flat surface can serve as a dinner table https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e0d020704.jpeg We are at Cafe Nemo because our knees won't let us sit on curbs anymore https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...346d76fd1.jpeg Last Wall of the Winchester Palace https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1d4f575b6.jpeg Clink Prison was attached to the Palace, hence the name "sent to the Clink" https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9ca11a659.jpeg This guy had it going, mobile pub right on BanksideHere https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0d5695728.jpeg Tate Modern, maybe too modern for us https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...111d24849.jpeg Here is our ride across the Thames https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...47fc66646.jpeg Goodbye Eye https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a1bdc1d1d.jpeg Last shot of London, the Elizabeth Tower and Parliament |
Travel Day - Salisbury
Lessons learned on the British railways. The first thing we learned is that they do not announce the Platforms until about 5 minutes before departure. I don't know if it's because they don't want queues or they just don't know the track. So you have all of these people staring at the departure screens and then a mad rush to your platform. You have enough time to board so you don't need to make a mad rush, but it's human nature. Get on the train, GWR, find a couple of seats, store our luggage, sit down when a woman comes up and says, nicely, you are in my seat. How do you know? Well, some seats are "allocated" which means you are given a seat number. On the allocated seats there is a red light on the column. Un-allocated seats have green lights. Ok, I wish the ticket seller would have mentioned this. We scramble for seats and can't find any green ones together plus now are baggage is at the end of the train car. Not a big deal. Our train is running behind. Second lesson, when we bought our ticket I noticed on the schedule we had 8 minutes to get the Salisbury train in Reading. That should be cool. The conductor says, sorry folks we are running 8 minutes behind...you guessed it, missed the train to Salisbury. Not a biggy another one in 45 minutes and Reading has a nice waiting room with bathrooms and water station. Next time though I might look for a train with a longer layover. Get to Salisbury, it's beautiful. We are staying at the Peartree Apartments which you can practically see from the station. All is well. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...46fab2bf5.jpeg Ok I've already used this picture but you can see a GWR train here. My instinct said to go all the way to the end of the train, hoping people stopped along the way. We actually got on about midway. Would change that next time https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...afcc9b234.jpeg Loved the South Western train, less people, seats were bigger and it was smoothe ride https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bf28d4130.jpeg Check in to Peartree was self check in. There was a screen, put in our names and a key dropped out of the box. So convenient. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3e6ddcccf.jpeg Took a little walk , one of the canals, actually I think they might be rivers https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4f1b7cde2.jpeg Swans chilling out along the river https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9ae6732cb.jpeg This was actually in front of someone's house looks out on a little part of the waterway, so cool. Get my book, I'm staying here! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...35142dad0.jpeg Lots of water in this area. |
I'm thoroughly enjoying your adventures and am exhausted at everything you accomplish in one day. You're making this fun and exciting to read. Carry on.
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