http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/ozspur/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from ozspur en-us Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:35:39 +0000 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:35:39 +0000 Clear blue skies to start the day with so we headed off to the London Eye. From there we walked over the Thames to Trafalgar Square and a short visit to the National Gallery. From there it was off to Covent Garden for lunch and a bit of shopping. The rest of the day was spent enjoying the sight and sounds of the carnival. In the evening we enjoyed dinner in La Bella Italia restaurant the student http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/Acton/blog-415390.html The flight went very smoothly and most of the students seemed to sleep quite well. I wish I could say the same for me but as always I spent most of the flight wide awake and uncomfortable. I really do hate flying When we got to London we were greeted by very misty weather. The heatwave they have been having in England was over and the forecast was very heavy showers. Luckily the weather forecas http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/Bankside/blog-414998.html So after months of planning we're now down to the final 24 hours. Have been watching the tennis from Wimbledon on TV and have been amazed by the beautiful blue skies and hot weather. But will it last Just had a look at the BBC weather site and this is what I foundOutlook for Thursday to SaturdayHot and sunny again on Thursday but heavy showers and thunderstorms breaking out later. Further sho http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/blog-413888.html Not long to go now. We will leave on July 2nd start checking this blog on July 3rd for all our news from London. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/blog-405419.html We spent the last evening in Paris wandering along the Seine and watching the firework display by the Eiffel Tower. On the last day we travelled from Paris to Heathrow airport spending an hour relaxing in a beautiful park in London enjoying brilliant sunshine. Then it was off to the airport for an easy checkin and the flight back to Hong Kong.All students behave perfectly on the trip and I reall http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/Bayswater/blog-300471.html Students had a wonderful time in Disneyland yesterday and today was an equally good day and itrsquos not over yet. It was an early start as we set off to see the Bastille Day Parade along the Champs Elysee. However once we saw the crowds we quickly changed our plans and went to the Louvre that was virtually empty because everyone was out watching the parade. Once the Mona Lisa and the Venus de http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/Ile-de-France/Paris/blog-299684.html We left London on Eurostar and two hours later we were safely in Paris. It took about an hour to get to the hotel and another hour to check in. Once checked in we all headed off to a nearby Chinese restaurant for dinner and then it was time for bed. Our first full day in Paris was spent checking out the Eiffel Tour going on a cruise along the Seine shopping and eating on the Champs Elsyee. Then http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-299311.html The students have now watched two musicals The Lion King and High School Musical. Both were very good they now want to see another one. I'll be checking for tickets later today. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-297856.html Students posing at Trafalgar Square http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-297548.html Thursday will be spent watching the changing of the guard if itrsquos not raining a visit to the Science Museum and then an afternoon in Harrods. After that it will be back to the hostel early evening dinner and then packing up for an early start on Friday morning. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-297511.html Grey and wet ahhhhhhh just how people imagine London. To be honest we've had great weather until now but today is pretty horrible weatherwise. So it's off the The British Museum perfect destination for a wet day. After that it will be supermarket shopping for food and then tonight we're off to see High School Musical. I'm sure the students will enjoy the show but poor me ........ not my cup http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-297460.html Today was supposed to be wet and windy but was simply windy....... and sunny. We took the bus from the hostel and jumped off when we got to Tower Bridge. We strolled over the bridge wandered around the Tower of London walked to the Millenium Bridge and spent a couple of hours at the wonderful Tate Gallery. After that the students had time for lunch and some free time in London before meeting in http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-297456.html Lady luck is truly on our side at the moment. After a leisurely full British breakfast of eggs bacon toast and so on we headed off for the day. The sky was dark the clouds looked really heavy with rain and the wind was strong. Also the temperature was well below what one would expect for summer. It was decidedly cold. However we were lucky enough to catch a bus immediately and then a tube to C http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-296382.html We spent Monday in Oxford. The weather was a mixed bag of sun wind and rain but it didnrsquot stop us having a good day. We ate lunch on the coach and upon arrival the students set off to explore the town. The plan was to go punting but the weather was a little too wild for it. We managed to go inside a few colleges including the beautiful Jesus College and St Edmunds where a pianist was playi http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-296904.html After a marathon day yesterday the plan for today was to take it easy and visit a few museums and galleries. However despite a grim weather forecast of heavy rain and strong winds the weather turned out to be simply fantastic. This meant an immediate change of plan. It was also Gay Pride Day in London and this meant the students would see an alternative lifestyle and learn that in this world we http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-295900.html ThursdayEverybody got to the airport on time and checkin went very smoothly. Air New Zealand is a great airline with excellent service entertainment and legroom. No complaints at all. The trip from Heathrow Airport to the hostel was long hot and tiring but all went well and we eventually got to the hostel safe and sound. The hostel is a hostel nothing luxurious but for 20 pounds a night in Lo http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-295896.html