Blogs from London City, Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 4

We decide to spend the morning exploring Hyde Park, and start our visit at the ornate fountains and stonework of the so-called Italian Garden. We continue south along the not particularly imaginatively named Long Water. Issy says that she doesn't think some of the names of the Underground stations are all that imaginative either given that they include Embankment, Arch, Borough, Temple, Oval and Bank. She adds that she doesn't think much of the imaginative powers of the person who came up with the name of the area around our hotel either; it's just called More London. We reach the bridge that marks the start of the Serpentine. I think I remember that the swimming leg of the triathlon in the London Olympics was held here. The water doesn't look very clean, and Issy asks me ... read more

I start the day with a session on my knees washing a handful of shirts in the bath. I think I've just saved us about $200. It's still a bit grey but it's not raining, well not yet at least. We walk across Tower Bridge towards the Tower of London and join a tour with a Yeoman Warder named George. He has a booming loud voice but his accent still makes him hard to understand. He tells us that there's been a fortress of some sort in place here since Roman times, and it's been gradually expanded over the centuries. When they decided they needed a moat an expert was imported from Holland to help them out. It seems his expertise may have been slightly lacking; he managed to dig the moat too deep. There were ... read more

Wednesday 24 June 2015 This is the day we make our much anticipated quick trip to London to attend a concert at The Wigmore Hall, where our daughter Joanne Is to sing. As proud parents we are delighted to have this rare opportunity to hear our opera singer perform at this highly regarded concert venue. Our day started early with a short drive to Menningen Airport where the budget airlines make dreams come true. So early did we arrive that we managed breakfast and were still first in the line at the counter to show our NZ passports and get the seal of approval to proceed through security. One of our party received the full body pat down after many beeps and worried looks from the staff. Perhaps the odd metal screw in one foot caused ... read more

Started the day with a sleep in as all a bit tired. Michelle and I spent the morning exploring the shops as we weren't meeting Steph till 1pm. We had been into Tesco, Sainsbury, Marks&Spence and Morrisons, but today we found Whole Foods and is the best food retailer we have ever seen. Met with Steph and headed in to explore St Paul's Cathedral, another must do in London. You do a self guided tour with headphones on, so as to get the full history. After exploring the cathedral floor we started the long climb to the top. Michelle went halfway due to the warnings of tight spaces and slow moving people in the last two levels. Steph and I ventured up and got stuck for about 5 minutes waiting for the crowd, it was hot ... read more

It's Stephs 23rd birthday yeah! Today is all about Steph, so it's her pick for everything we do and everywhere we go. She had booked for us a canal tour from a place called little Venice down to Camden markets. Michelle wanted to take the bus to experience a double decker, as with the trains they come every 7-8 minutes. Waiting at our stop for number 70 would see about 30 buses (double deckers) come and go. Then number 70 bus turns up and it's a single decker just like the buses at home. It was so funny, but I guess you had to be there. Found our canal boat and we were off for a relaxing and informative ride down to Camden markets. The canals in London have played a big part in London history, ... read more