FRIDAY OCTOBER 2ND - LONDON

LAST BLOG OF THE TRIP

This sunny morning was our first without breakfast at a hotel so we started the day with a snack at a café in Victoria Station.

I told Henry that I would sit down on the footpath and not move after 8kms today so he was careful that we only walked 6kms!

Again the underground this time to Charring Cross. These buskers were on the train and very entertaining.



A coffee outdoors at Saint Martins in the Field and then on a visit inside the church where a violinist was practising for his free concert that afternoon. Passed Trafalgar square (scaffolding everywhere preparing for an event there meant no really good photos).

The National Gallery was on the bucket list and it was everything we thought it would be.

Back around Trafalgar Square.

A relaxed lunch, a browse through a bookshop and then the underground back to the hotel.

Packing our bags tonight and a very early night. We’ve had a great time but really looking forward to seeing everyone at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1ST - LONDON

Today proved to be quiet a day!

Caught the underground rail from Victoria Station.

 and after some searching found The British Museum.

Henry was keen to see the Egyptian exhibition and particularly the Rosetta stone. The exhibits in the museum kept us looking for hours and we both really enjoyed our time in there.



Next we decided to walk back to the hotel via a café for lunch and a coffee of course.

We didn’t realise how far it was to walk though. The city seems to be teeming with people. Roads are congested, mainly red buses, taxis and delivery trucks. Walked past lots of shops,  footpaths so crowded we could only walk single file. Next through Mayfair and Park Lane, beginning to think I was on the Monopoly Board.

Finally back to the hotel (passed "The Palace") at 3.45

Left again at 5.30 to go to the Adelphi Theatre to see Kinky Boots.

 

Again the underground and a massive walk past Trafalgar Square to the theatre. Picked up the tickets then darted through crazy traffic to get to an Italian restaurant for a top feed of pasta and gnocchi.

Back to the hotel via the underground. Total kms clocked up on my phone 13.5 – number of flights of stairs 27 and number of steps 19,500 – know I’ll sleep in tomorrow! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH - STRATFORD-UPON-AVON - LONDON

" A final highlight enjoy a guided tour of Blenheim Palace birthplace of sir Winston Churchill, explore the landscaped parkland. return to London."

THE GROSVENOR VICTORIA HOTEL LONDON

This morning leaving Stratford there was mist of the field which usually indicates a fine and sunny day…and it was! We drove again along lovely country roads and arrived at Blenheim Palace. The pictures really say it all. One hour of guided tour and then two of free time…could have been too long in poor weather…but perfect today. Henry went to see the Churchill museum, but I preferred a walk in the extensive gardens

 

 

Left at 1pm and arrived safely in London with very little traffic compared to that leaving London!

Henry went for a walk but I went for a debrief (snooze).

There’s a strange mood in people when a tour is ending, people are tired and ready to go home for the most part but also sorry to see the tour end. It has been a particularly friendly,  co-operative and considerate group. We are staying at The Grosvenor for three nights to recover and get ready for the trip home. A pub tea at "The Shakespeare" and the day was over!