London was happy to greet us as the sun was shining and there was blue sky!! We have had a day walking the streets of London - Regents St which is dressing for Christmas, Oxford St where all the big department stores are full of shoppers (who said recession??) and more. We have taken advantage of a 2 for 1 offer which is designed to encourage visitors in the off season and have so far visited Wellington's Arch and Apsley House, the Duke of Wellington's House. We walked across Green Park and said a quick hello to Queenie at Buck Palace, then followed the Memorial walk for Diana, Princess of Wales to Hyde Park Corner - what a busy corner that is!! Saw the new Oz War memorial, designed by Tonkin, Zulaikha Greer Pty Ltd which was interesting, although it seems to be affected by the water which runs over it.

It is hard to realize that it is only 4.00pm and yet the street lights and car headlights are all on!! Such a short day!

13/12/08We decided that today we would visit the Thames Barrier, an amazing engineering accomplishment which protects London from surge tides or exceptionally high tides. After an overground train ride, a tube and then a bus we had to walk, in the rain, for about 10 minutes to the venue! Needless to say we were the only visitors, however it was very interesting and certainly has saved much of London from flooding over the years since it was completed. We returned to the tube where the new O2 is, a revamped entertainment dome with an indoor ice slope among other things. From there we went to the end of the Docklands Rail Line - nothing to see - and then back to St Pauls Cathedral. After 40 years I finally got to go inside and it was definitely worth it! We climbed the 259 stairs to the Whispering Gallery - what a wonderful view down to the centre of the cathedral - and the further up to the outside viewing area which allows you see over London (weather permitting!). We also visited the crypt where many famous names are interred, but the highlight was a rehearsal for an evening service by a group of young male sopranos, accompanied by a harp. It was beautiful, especially when 2 solo performers sang - their voices so clear and strong.

16/12/08We have had another full day in London this time in the museum area - we went on a tour of the Royal Albert Hall with a young girl who was excellent. We sat in the box next to the Queen's Box and appreciated the vast space which holds around 5000 people. The Queen, of course, doesn't mix with the hoi-polloi and so has her own reception area where she has drinks and nibbles!! Across the road is the Albert Memorial, the most over-the-top structure with a seated gold-clad Albert surrounded by all the trappings of the Empire, built by Victoria for her beloved husband!

We then visited the Science Museum, which we have both spent time in before but somehow there is always so much more to see and do and the afternoon slipped by very pleasantly.

18/12/08 Mal was very keen to find Brick Lane, where there is a market on Sunday, particularly for second hand bikes and accessories, so we set out to check it out on a non market day and to also check out the local curry restaurants etc. We found the Spitalfield market which had some interesting antiques and bits and pieces and was in an old market hall, but Brick Lane was fairly ordinary so we'll have to do a Sunday sometime. From there we went by bus all the way across town (remember Threadneedle Street and the Bank of NSW back in the 60's!!) to visit the Wallace Collection. What a splendid collection in a wonderful building and there is also a magnificent restaurant under a vaulted glass roof which was full of jolly folk enjoying their Christmas parties!

21/12/08We have just returned from a great weekend in the country - 3 days in and around Tunbridge Wells. We drove down to cousin Ian Norman and his wife, Wendy's place with Janet to catch up on family business and generally have a good time. They have a delightful cottage near the village of Mayfield, a very old village which was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. Both Wendy and Ian play in a brass band and Wendy was playing at the Pantiles on Saturday morning. The weather was so pleasant that we sat outside to hear the band play and have lunch - it was 12 degrees! Unheard of in December. On Saturday night we went to the Public School of Tonbridge to take part in Carol singing in the School Chapel. Wendy & Ian were both playing and it was great - very triumphant! This school is where Christine Allibone-White's father was Classics master for many years. Also in 1998, when I took the HHT tour to England we met Christine's parents, Elizabeth & Geoff and had a tour of the Chapel, after Elizabeth had joined us on our tour of Sissinghurst, Vita Sackville-Wests's garden. On Sunday we had lunch with Elizabeth and Geoff and so caught up on the last 10 years! It was so nice to see them again.

22/12/08

At last I am on the internet - at the local cafe - still haven't got it sorted at home!! Still working on that.