Cheryl's Visit - Partie Une

London

26th Feb - 2nd March

I decided for this three-part installment, that I would write a much more condensed, easy to read story…. Hopefully!!

So Friday afternoon we sat around at Heathrow for an hour or so waiting for Dan's mum to make her way out to meet us. After some group hugging in the arrivals hall we made the short train journey back to our home where we dropped our bags before heading down to the local pub for dinner. Cheryl was most excited at having Steak and Kidney pudding for dinner!!

The next morning we decided that we'd do the traditional open topped double Decker bus tour of London. Great plan, except for the fact that it was raining! We poncho'd up and braved the wet weather to take in all of London's famous landmarks. We took a break for lunch at a little café near the London Eye, before crossing the river to board our Thames boat cruise which was included in our bus price. Cheryl had to stop halfway across the bridge to have her photo taken with a creepy old Scottish guy, fully kilted up, playing the bagpipes.

The boat ride was nice, but cold, and we got off at the Tower of London/Tower Bridge and did a little wandering in that area. We made our way (slowly) back into central London, stopping at every souvenir shop along the way…

Sunday morning and we were again greeted with yukky rain, but we still ventured back out to the Tower of London and had a bit of a look around. At least the rain gave Cheryl a chance to bring out the 'bloody Australian tourist' umbrella - Thanks Rob. Saw Lizzie's jewels again, but we were disappointed that we couldn't do the free Beefeater tour. Because of the rain the Beefeater's wouldn't come out - probably didn't want to get their fancy capes wet - however there was a friendly one that had a bit of a chat with Cheryl; it made her day after the grumpy one the day before told her off!

After the Tower, we met up with Matt and Jodie for a traditional Sunday Roast at a pub just of Oxford street. We were joined by a hundred of lads watching the Man U match… We did the obligatory cheer when someone scored a goal! We followed lunch up with a treat from 'Beard Papa' - Cream puffs. They were delicious and they came in the cutest little box too!

We decided to make the most of our 2 day bus ticket, so in the afternoon we jumped on the bus that had the live commentary instead of the pre-recorded headphone one we had the day before. The live guide was heaps better and he even let us in on a little scoop. Instead of paying the exorbitant £15 entrance to Westminster Abbey, Sunday nights they do Organ recitals open to the public. We got the bus to drop us off there just at the perfect time for us to go in and take our seat. We sat through the 45 minute organ performance, which even though it was lovely, I'll admit to nodding off throughout it! Afterwards we managed to have a quick look around inside the impressive church before the ushers started shooing us out. Just as we walked outside the Abbey we were greeted by the most torrential, sideways rain and hail we've encountered over here (With the exception of Sicily maybe!). We braved it and did the run from Westminster, past Big Ben - who looked splendid all lit up at night - and into the tube. We made a pit stop for dinner at a lovely pizza restaurant in Earl's Court before making the rest of the trip home for bedtime.

We had another early start on Monday to get to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards. We walked down through the park and looked at the war memorials on our way to Lizzie's. We were there early enough to get a fantastic position right up on the fence, it just sucked that we had to wait an hour and a half for it all to get underway. Plus I had to deal with the ugliest woman in the world moving in on my fence space. I ended up having to put my bum in her face so she would stop moving in on our space; Stupid Smoking Spanish Women. The changing of the guards was great, Dan and I hadn't seen it properly before. We were a little confused though when the band got all properly set up and we all sat waiting for them to start playing, perhaps maybe God Save the Queen or something similar… But no, instead to burst out into 'New York, New York'. Camilla must've been in because they followed it up with 'Lady is a Tramp' and they finished the patriotic Sinatra set off with 'My Way'!!!

After the very traditional, formal (with the exception of the choice of music) and tacky guard changing session way made our way down The Mall to grab a quick Burger King lunch before checking out Trafalgar Square. Finally we'd been blessed with lovely clear blue skies so we were able to enjoy the weather.

After lunch we were back on the tube making our way out to the afternoon activity of the day; Kensington Palace. This place was really nice. Not over the top, but a modest home. I believe that this is where Diana spent most of her days. I couldn't blame her really; the gardens and park surrounding the place were beautiful. Inside the Palace, they had exhibitions showing some of Diana's most well known dresses, as well as a temporary exhibition on Debutantes. They had a little section in there for people to practise to become a Deb. I did the walking in the straight line with a book on my head, while Dan and Cheryl danced in a circle following the painted and numbered feet on the floor. Dan and I also attempted to tie a bow tie, but we both failed - miserably. Kensington Palace was a winner in my books - loved it.

We returned to Acton for dinner; It's half price meals on Monday at one of our local pubs. We enjoyed our meal, as you do when you pay £4 for a mega mixed grill, and as we were leaving the waitress approached our table. The conversation went something like this..

Her: "You don't happen to be from Bendigo, do you?",

Me" Uhmm yeah"

Her: "You're not from Mandurang are you??"

By now I was a little weirded out. Firstly, Mandurang is a small small place. Secondly, I haven't lived there since I was in grade 5.

Her: "You went to Mandurang Primary School with my sister Elly"

It was all vaguely coming back to me now who she was, even though she was a couple of years younger than me at school (And we are talking early primary school days).Anyway, we did a quick 'How's your life been in the last 20 years' and then said farewell.

Tuesday was Cheryl's favourite day - Shopping Day. We started off at Harrods. Purchases included some bakery snacks, and a very expensive 'flat peach'. We also found a fancy coffee place inside for an expensive drink , they wouldn't even let us eat our Harrods baked goods there.. They gave us some lame excuse about health and safety, in case we choked or had an allergy or something… After spending too long in the Harrods souvenir shop - we had to drag Cheryl out - We made our way down to Piccadilly Circus. Where we sat under the statue of Angel of Christian Charity (NOT EROS, as everyone believes it is) and finally at our Harrods baked goods. Yum yum. We then wandered through Leicester Square and up to Covent Garden, where Cheryl was able to indulge in even more shopping. Dan and I bought some new shoes, so she wasn't the only one purchasing at least. We finished off the day with a quick look into Chinatown, before heading home, for a home cooked chili con carne and bed.