Finally getting around to finishing this trips blog. What a hectic couple of weeks! Now let's see if I remember....
Greg finally got to see the Changing of the Guard. We did the city sightseeing free walking tour, WALKING? Yeah right most of it is spent running to stay ahead of the multitudes, but hats off to the guide he knew exactly where to be at any point in time to give us the best view of each part. Highly recommend this tour.
Another must do but you need to book in early, and by early I mean 2 months before, is the ceremony of the keys at the Tower of London. How good was that. A small group of people gather At the main gate around. 9-15pm and we then meet up with a yeoman of the guard and are walked through the ceremony. It's fabulous. A different perspective on the tower at night, a bit spooky, so worth it and it's free. It is done every night of the year, I think it would be extra special in the snow.
Off to Lords today, what a fantastic tour, got to stand on the hallowed turf that so many great cricketers have played, the dressing rooms. I sat on the balcony where I see the Australian team each time they play there, I will have to check out who sits in my place next time. The state of the art media centre may look awkward but wow what a view! Another must do if you like cricket, and Real Tennis, it was invented here and is still played by members.
We had some lunch and a beer at the Lords tavern then took off on foot to find that infamous pedestrian crossing.
We had already been to the theatre twice seeing Les Mis, and Mousetrap (you can put us on the rack, we won't divulge the ending), why not go again, so we bought tickets to Miss Siagon, one we hadn't seen before.
Before the theatre however, it was time to celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary (again) at high tea at Selfridges. We had let it slip when booking that it was for our anniversary so, surprise surprise we had a couple of extra glasses of their £12 a glass champagne for nics! The view is great from the roof and the high tea is lovely.
Then it was off to the theatre, I'm glad I've seen it, but i won't be rushing back.
Saturday was our last day and we opted to stay out of the city and explore Notting Hill, Bayswater and Paddington on foot. On our walk we found another Greek restaurant for dinner, wow one of the best meals we had and the maître d I think thought I may have been Greek and gave us the star treatment.
Sunday morning up early and all packed we were collected by the private transport we had booked why would you catch the train, this worked out cheaper and oh so much easier.£33 for the two of us plus 3 big bags and 2 carryon. The way to heathrow was treacherous as the tail end of a hurricane hit London with torrential rain, roads flooded, we certainly know when to leave.
We had an eleven hour layover in Tokyo/Narita and I had booked a tour. We checked our luggage all the way through to Sydney so had nothing to take with us. We were met by our guide at the main entrance to the airport and took off on a lovely tour of the local area in air conditioned comfort. Some really interesting temples!
Then it was off home the end to another great trip, if you have any questions just msg me or Greg, or better still organise dinner with us to pick our brains..".......now where to next.......?
Yours in travel
Cathngreg
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