Looking forward to Kit and Dal's arrival later today to join us in London for our last (argh!) few days overseas.
The sun was out again today so we made full use of it, having a lazy long lunch outdoors at a pub up the road from the hotel, Pride of Paddington.
Dal and I wanted to continue enjoying the outdoors, so the two of us went for a leisurely stroll in Kensington Gardens, again, amongst throngs of people picnicking, cycling and just generally having a really good time.
Dinner was back at our favourite Flavours of India restaurant for a scrumptuous dinner.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
29 June 2012 LONDON TO HARPENDEN Friday
A very touristy start to our day, with pre-booked tickets for Madame Tussaud's. We've never been before on any of our trips, so it simply had to be done.
We took a lot of photo's, so here goes...
We took a lot of photo's, so here goes...
My all time favourite actress - I ADORE her.
Love him - so polished.
I'll Be Back
Coming to grips with Jonah
I have so much admiration for Princess Diana
Up close and personal with Lady Gaga
Greatly respected - Madiba
PS It was raining when we walked there, just in case you think I was having a bad hair day.
Another rainy walk (Yay London summer - NOT) to Lord's Cricket Ground and who should we see warming up but the England cricket team getting ready to beat Australia.
We didn't get tickets as we had made prior arrangements to visit Tony and Verna in Harpenden, so onto the speed train we got and had our very last visit to Harpenden and dear Tony and Verna.
On our way back to London, we had the opportunity to catch up with Jo from Aussie land! Had drinks at The Shakespeare and dinner at The Duke of York. A lovely fun night out and catch up.
28 June 2012 LONDON Thursday
Bidding a sad farewell to Mum and Keith after such a lovely holiday full of laughter, fun n games and so many wonderful sights and discoveries, was really hard, however, I keep reminding myself how blessed we were to make so many memories together.
Thereafter, Al and I made our way from Heathrow Airport to our hotel in London town! With beautiful (if intermittent) sunny weather about, we made straight for Kensington Gardens - as did every other Brit in the country!
Just before, though, we pit-stopped in Rose Garden courtyard for drinks, our table was beautifully secluded by heaps of rose plants and sheltered from the breeze in the warm sunshine.
Thereafter, Al and I made our way from Heathrow Airport to our hotel in London town! With beautiful (if intermittent) sunny weather about, we made straight for Kensington Gardens - as did every other Brit in the country!
Just before, though, we pit-stopped in Rose Garden courtyard for drinks, our table was beautifully secluded by heaps of rose plants and sheltered from the breeze in the warm sunshine.
The photo doesn't really cut it, I know, but it was a wonderful peaceful niche
As busy as Kensington Gardens was, it was such a happy atmosphere with everyone enjoying the sunshine one way or another. Kensington Palace was fronted by an austere looking Queen Victoria, while in front of her was a sparkling blue lake with the ever-graceful swans serenely floating about.
We walked a fair bit further to Princess Diana's memorial garden which isn't as beautiful has I had hoped, but nearby was spritely Peter Pan to cheer the surroundings.
Back to our hotel and tasty spicy Indian dinner just on the corner. Yum!
Saturday, 30 June 2012
27 June 2012 LONDON Wednesday
I have the best boys on the entire planet!
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What a great start to a special day.
After a frustrating drive to our hotel near Heathrow with Samantha GPS-lady-person leading us repeatedly astray, we finally got sorted and had to promptly hand the hire car back, which we did successfully, totally unscathed - well done to our two proficient drivers Allan and Keith.
To end Mum and Keith's holiday off on a high note we had booked, with Kit and Dal too, to see a show, Dreamboats and Petticoats, at Playhouse Theatre in London's West End and what a fun show it was!
Old songs sung by upbeat youngsters with little innuendo's now and then, hand clapping and singing along by all.
26 June 2012 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Tuesday
We started our day with a visit at Anne Hathaways cottage for a stroll in the woodland nearby and a quick chat in the conversation chair.
Halfway through the woodland walk, we came across this moss-covered mask just hanging non-chalantly on a tree hook - you can come to your own conclusions ; )
Al and Keith were having a blast....
Next was Anne Hathaways cottage and garden...
The garden was all ablaze and a-bloom in a riot of colourful spires, pom poms and blossoms.
A quick visit inside the cottage and on our way to William Shakespeare's childhood home. Set back in time and built like a rabbits warren made us all grateful that we live in modern times, especially seeing the taut-rope sprung mattress base and washing tub facilities.
Lunch at Pen and Parchment then a little wander through what used to be the site of William Shakespeare's adult home and is now an archeological site which was a little disappointing. The adjoining Knot gardens were interesting with the 4 symmetrical garden squares and intricate sculptures.
Mum and I finished our afternoon off with a little retail therapy, and our stay in Stratford-upon-Avon ended with the four of us having a nice dinner out.
Forgot to say my most exciting thing was to sleep in the attic!!
Halfway through the woodland walk, we came across this moss-covered mask just hanging non-chalantly on a tree hook - you can come to your own conclusions ; )
Al and Keith were having a blast....
Next was Anne Hathaways cottage and garden...
A quick visit inside the cottage and on our way to William Shakespeare's childhood home. Set back in time and built like a rabbits warren made us all grateful that we live in modern times, especially seeing the taut-rope sprung mattress base and washing tub facilities.
Lunch at Pen and Parchment then a little wander through what used to be the site of William Shakespeare's adult home and is now an archeological site which was a little disappointing. The adjoining Knot gardens were interesting with the 4 symmetrical garden squares and intricate sculptures.
Mum and I finished our afternoon off with a little retail therapy, and our stay in Stratford-upon-Avon ended with the four of us having a nice dinner out.
Forgot to say my most exciting thing was to sleep in the attic!!
Thursday, 28 June 2012
25 June 2012 WALES TO ENGLAND Monday
Left Llandudno, stopping for a walk along the city wall which still entirely surrounds the town of Chester, giving the area a decidedly Romanesque feel.
We stopped our wall-top sentry at Eastgate, which remains totally intact and beautifully restored, to walk where Romans walked and horses trotted along the cobbled lanes, only to be brought thoroughly back to reality by the gnarly M6.
Enter Stratford-upon-Avon in mid-heatwave all of 21.5 degrees celsius! Seriously everyone was in sleeveless tops and short shorts like it was 40 degrees instead.
I had a stroll (and a little shopping spree) down the High Street while the others rested, then we all went for drinks at the Riverbank, on the...well...riverbank, watching families picnic while dogs played ball and big hot air balloons floated serenely by, way above us.
Dinner across the River Avon at Pen and Parchment and so to slumber on a 'mid-summer nights dream'.
We stopped our wall-top sentry at Eastgate, which remains totally intact and beautifully restored, to walk where Romans walked and horses trotted along the cobbled lanes, only to be brought thoroughly back to reality by the gnarly M6.
Enter Stratford-upon-Avon in mid-heatwave all of 21.5 degrees celsius! Seriously everyone was in sleeveless tops and short shorts like it was 40 degrees instead.
I had a stroll (and a little shopping spree) down the High Street while the others rested, then we all went for drinks at the Riverbank, on the...well...riverbank, watching families picnic while dogs played ball and big hot air balloons floated serenely by, way above us.
Dinner across the River Avon at Pen and Parchment and so to slumber on a 'mid-summer nights dream'.
24 June 2012 SNOWDONIA Sunday
Gosh, well before breakfast we were ready to start our day up the mountain of the Great Orme giving beautiful views across the Irish Sea for 360 degree and as far as the eye could see - what better way to start the day.
Back for brekky, then off for a fun jaunt up the Snowdon Mountain Railway. The Snowdon is the highest peak in Wales at +- 3000ft, therefore, the top of the mountain had disappeared in mist when we went up, but nonetheless, it added to the wonderment as we passed hikers shrouded in mist trudging heavily up the steep rocky slope.
Surviving our backward trundle, next on our itinerary was Caernofen Castle for a guided tour. Interestingly enough, both Prince Charles and his Uncle Edward were Crowned Prince of Wales at Caernofen Castle and similarly, BOTH men married divorcees. Unlike Edward, though, Charles will not be abdicating.
Our drive home was via Conwy Castle near to Llandudno and dinner was, unexpectedly, amongst a group of passionate locals, vociferously supporting the English football team in an exciting game ending in a penalty shootout against Italy (who won, unfortunately).
Nice road too!
Back for brekky, then off for a fun jaunt up the Snowdon Mountain Railway. The Snowdon is the highest peak in Wales at +- 3000ft, therefore, the top of the mountain had disappeared in mist when we went up, but nonetheless, it added to the wonderment as we passed hikers shrouded in mist trudging heavily up the steep rocky slope.
What better name than Yeti to take you up into the misty mountains!
After warming up with a VERY quick coffee before being threatened with being left behind, if not on time, on that freezing inhospitable mountain top, we were dismayed to find that we had to travel all 3000ft down the mountain BACKWARDS!
The views across the valley were still beautiful though
Surviving our backward trundle, next on our itinerary was Caernofen Castle for a guided tour. Interestingly enough, both Prince Charles and his Uncle Edward were Crowned Prince of Wales at Caernofen Castle and similarly, BOTH men married divorcees. Unlike Edward, though, Charles will not be abdicating.
Our drive home was via Conwy Castle near to Llandudno and dinner was, unexpectedly, amongst a group of passionate locals, vociferously supporting the English football team in an exciting game ending in a penalty shootout against Italy (who won, unfortunately).
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