Goodbyes and such

Well we started packing last night and all was eventually good, Kelly did her packing with the help of mr juniper berry and I did mine with some fruit of the vine. By the end of it I think we both passed out from laughter.

We had bought me an extra carry on at Camden town, one great thing about flying prem Eco is you get 40 kts check in and 2 carry on. Let me tell you, I needed them as I'm bring home all of Kelly's summer gear plus the obligatory souvenirs.

Once we woke up we prepared ourselves for the day ahead breakfast, showers etc, bundled up all the leftovers a jumper that just wouldn't fit and all our spare change, put it all into a shopping bag. We headed out to do the London eye and to go in search of a homeless soul. We didn't have to go far they are everywhere, hopefully our little offering of food and warmth along with a coup,e of pounds will help make someone's Christmas a bit better.

We walked across the mellenium bridge to the London eye, and for those of you that have been here know that regardless of the time of year there is always a queue!today was no different except the queue was much shorter 1 person in front of us buying tickets and about 20 in front on the queue for the eye, then there was only 9 of us in the car! Excellent!

You really do get the best view of London from up there!

From there we went to Covent Garden and to Bills for a farewell lunch - nice restaurant, quirky interior, very exie menu, didn't care tho!

We wandered around for a while to let lunch settle then watched some street theatre in Trafalgar Square and wound up back at the hotel for the last hour before I was picked up by the cabbie.

After a relatively strong showing from a mother saying goodbye, I climbed aboard the cab and then fell apart! Not too much but a little.

I'm at the airport writing this my bags were within the acceptable weight range for checkin, we won't talk about the carry ons!

Boy you've got to carry that weight! Around Dubai and Sydney, can't wait to see Greg and get a cuddle, as far as im concerned, travelling alone is not for me!

BUT

It's been a whirlwind trip and I wouldn't have missed it for the world

See you all on the flipside

Yours in travel

Cath

Catapulted into history and the movies

So I'm laying here on the morning I am to leave for home and thinking I haven't written the blog!

Here goes the last 3 days.

Sunday

We awoke and by we I mean Kelly lateish and had some breakfast. I took the dirty clothes to the laundrette, it's on site so not much of a trek, expensive tho. Crammed as much into the washing machine as possible and returned to the room to do some hand washing. Kelly was on Skype and going to help me shortly.

I did the hand washing of the thins that wouldn't fit in the machine and by that time the wash was just about over, Kelly was finished on Skype and came down to help transfer the clothes to the dryer. That went in for 30 mins and were almost dry! Not wanting to waste more time on menial tasks we strewed the room with damp washing and took off for the big bus tour.

It took in all the usual sights round London, it was cold and wet though and we had extended our ticket to take in the night Christmas lights tour, so we alighted from the bus at harrods to do a bit of shopping, use the facilities and get some lunch.

Monday

It was an early start today we had to be at a neighbouring hotel at 7-30 to be collected by our tour to Oxford, the Costswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle.

First stop Oxford!

We did a walking tour first up then had a small amount of free time. Our tour guide for the day was a Brazilian history teacher, very informative.

Second stop Stratford-upon-Avon.

This is where Shakespeare was born and raised and died and the entire town is pretty much dedicated to the tourist dollar around him. It is a beautiful place and worth a visit, this is my third trip and whilst it was still hectic transport and people wisem so much calmer than in summer.

A drive through the Cotswolds home of thatched roofs and onto Warwick castle.

Third stop.

Warwick Castle, if you have seen the television series the White Queen, think - bad guy, the King maker, this was the Earl of Warwick! Merlin entertainment (Madame tussauds) purchased the castle and its a bit Disney, but pretty good for a tour as the castle and what's in it are authentic, it was an I teresti g tour, albeit late in the day.

We were then returned to London and found our way back to the hotel for a rest!

Tuesday

Tuesday was to be shopping at Camden town markets then off to, drumroll please...Harry Potter World!

Camden town market was great, lots of stalls of clothes, knick knacks and wonderful food, and we got all our last minute shopping done, Kelly had a break for some tea!

Then back on the train to Watford, and Warner bros movie set.

Not much to say about the place, you need to book tickets before hand for a time slot, ours was 4pm, so it was dark when we got there. Allow 3 hours minimum. Take your camera and your wallet!

Some photos for the Harry-Philes.

It is a great place and a lot of fun.

So that brings me to the final day which I will need to write about either on the plane or when I get home. 

See you all soon!