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London - we were greeted by grey skies, rain, cold, wind and gloom but wouldn't expect anything else from old London town. Love it!! Despite the weather, Jud went out for a curry and a pint! Most things have stayed the same - the overwhelming crowds of busy commuters, the corner pubs, the fab shopping and markets, the weather, the variety of things to do - but there've also been many changes in the years since we were last here. Many new buildings and development along the Thames - very modern, glass, space age - stark contrast to the beautiful old. And of course the London Eye.
And in the continuing tradition of Deb finding the best ever digs, here we are in London in our very central apartment - just a skip to Kings Cross. We will settle here for the next week and try not to think about the impending end of our trip. Plan to squeeze as much in as we possibly can.
Day one was all about the kids - the London Zoo. Kids thought it was great but not a lot to see (other than the newborn baby gorilla) and hasn't changed much in 20 years. It was also outrageously expensive. Caught tube to see a couple of the biggies - Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. Gives new meaning to crowds - the kids have not seen anything like it!
Our apartment is self-contained so we can do our own cooking (not that we've done any yet). Takeaway food options are enormous, varied and cheap. Done loads of kebabs and curries. And of course booze is still cheap - as a matter of fact food and alcohol has been so much cheaper on this trip than Australia. Oh my it's going to be tough coming home.
Anyhoo we've done loads and now coming to the end of our trip we are getting tired and the kids are getting ratty but we're still determined to make the most of each day we've left.
We spent a day doing the open top red tour bus - again for the kids - but it was kind of handy for us to refamiliarise ourselves with the city. Finished the day with the London Eye. It is very, very, very high. Ava and I spent most of the half hour sitting on the seat in the middle of the glass gondola. But despite that the views were spectacular and the night skyline was probably more dramatic than the hazy, old grey view you'd get during the day.
We've done a Thames cruise to the Tower of London and despite the girls protesting that they didn't want to see another castle we all had a great afternoon. The weaponry and torture devices in the White Tower and the comical re-enactment of a trial being the highlights for us.
Camden Markets were a treat - so much to buy, so little money, so little room to pack things. Aaah - maybe next time. But the kids all managed to get something special.
We caught up with Glenn and some other friends and had a lovely afternoon/evening out in the burbs of London - very pretty area around Highgate. Ended up at the Clissold Arms hotel and sat at the table where The Kinks played their first ever gig!!!
Selfridges Department Store on Oxford Street do the best window displays and the ones at the moment are so cool - really retro with one window display of funky handmade monster toys - right up my alley.
Today is our last day and this will also be my last post. We are planning to visit the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park jump on as much public transport and try not to think about the dreaded flight home tomorrow. Thanks everyone for reading and all your comments. Again sorry we haven't been able to reply or send emails but it's gone so quickly we'll see you all again in a matter of days. Big thanks to Belinda for the Cooran updates. And for looking after things for us - so appreciated and we'll see you on the weekend. And of course we'll be up for a Euro slide night at ours - hopefully won't bore people too much.
Signing off from London - see you back in Cooran.
- comments
Dad you are booked on AIRLINK 8 seater bus to Kathryn's.already paid. Jan MCleod will send further infirmation and we will send it on by another blog
Dad have sent e-mail with details. AIRLINK TRANSFERS PICK UP 7-30 AM DRIVER WILL DISPLAY YOUR NAME AT INTERNET STAND TO YOUR LEFT AS YOU EXIT CUSTOMS ANY PROBLEMS RING 5441-5006 GLOBE TROTTERS TICKET AND RECEIPT NO 22980 SWITCH ON MOBILE
Louise What an adventure. I'm so sad it has come to an end.....can't wait for that slide night :))