Robyn & Kay BFF: Sydney to UK

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

DAY 1

Thursday 24 April 2014

Today the adventure begins. We were chauffeur driven to the airport by John. We  managed to avoid any duty free shopping. The flight to Singapore was good. Two meals, three movies and we were there. After a 1 1/2 hour stopover we boarded the flight for London. Another two meals (one rejected) and   more movies. Managed a couple of hours sleep on the 13 1/2 hour flight.

DAY 2

Friday 25 April 2014

We arrived at Heathrow at 6.15. The weather was cloudy but no rain.  We were cleared through

customs, collected our baggage and were on the transfer vehicle by 7.00am - well done.

By the time we were out of the airport it had started to rain, surprise surprise .  Amazing to see all the

sights on the way to Paddington where we are staying.  After arriving at the Mercure Hotel we couldn't check in till after 11.00 am so went for a walk around the locality and had a cup of tea in the restaurant next door.  We went back to the hotel and sat until they finally let us go to our room.  The first room

they gave us was a double so back down to reception to sort it out.

After unpacking we went on a tour on the big bus around London seeing all the sights, amazing!

Unfortunately we sat up the top on the open deck and after 4 hrs we were very cold and wet.  Although still in awe at the sights we couldn't wait to have a warm shower, dinner and BED by 7.30 what a day!

DAY 3

Saturday 26 April 2014

Last night the fire alarm went off just after Kay fell asleep. Robyn was already asleep. Kay jumped out of bed but Robyn refused to budge. She said she would go down with the ship. False alarm. After 13
hours sleep we were feeling refreshed so walked down to the Indigo Hotel for breakfast. We both tried black pudding for the first and possibly last time. Not unpleasant but the thought is enough to turn one off. After a big breakfast we walked back to the hotel and booked a tour for this week and a theatre date.
We then bought our Oyster card for travel. Travelling is expensive here unlike our $2.50 senior all day cards at home.
We then caught the number 27 bus to Notting Hill Gate. Bus driver wasn't very helpful so we were
thankful for the electronic signage. Found our way to Portobello Road markets along with half of
London and every other tourist here. We just cannot believe the crowds in London. We struggled down through the markets for a couple of hours and bought a couple of gifts. Eventually gave up and went
back to the underground and caught the tube to Knightsbridge. A short walk to Harrods and what a
shopping experience that was. HUGE store including 27 restaurants/cafés. We paid 11.30 pounds for a cup of tea for two. We decided after that to buy some tea bags for our room. Did a bit more shopping
but not too much as it was a bit expensive for us.
We then caught the tube back to Paddington. Had dinner, bought some wine (purely medicinal of
course) and once again in bed by 7.30pm.
Hopefully tomorrow will see Thelma and Louise staying up a little later.

Telephone Booth & Cash machine










Kay at Paddington Station































DAY 4

Sunday 27 April

Awake at 3am and ready to start the day. Eventually got going about 7.30am. Walked down to the
Indigo Hotel again, this time for a light breakfast. Came back and booked to go to Madam Tussauds
tomorrow. The weather is up and down. One minute it is cold and wet and the next we are stripping
off our coats.
Jenna (Robyn's beautiful niece) arrived about 10.00am and we set off for today's adventure.
Caught the tube to St James and walked to Buckingham Palace. Robyn was a little put out as a woman stood up on the overcrowded train to give her a seat. Not enough room to cause a scene so she gave in graciously. How lucky were we to arrive just as they were doing the changing of the guard. Once
again the crowds were unbelievable. The flowers in St James Park were beautiful, especially the tulips. It will be interesting to compare them to Amsterdam.
We spent about 30 seconds sitting on the lawn chairs soaking up the London sun - oops there wasn't
any sun so we moved on. They charge to use the chairs but we were too quick for them.
We walked to a little cafe opposite the Ritz and had a cup of tea.
More walking, just as well Jenna knew where we were because we didn't. We eventually ended up in
Soho where we had lunch at Bill's. Great hamburgers and atmosphere. Everyone here is so pleasant.
Walked past Marks and Spencer and of course had to go in for some retail therapy.
Then on to Covent Gardens and the markets. Some wonderful street performers there.
We had a look around but by then the feet were complaining bitterly so said our goodbyes and thanks
to Jenna and once again caught the tube back to Paddington. The stairs at the underground stations are horrendous and very few have escalators or lifts so as a result we also have sore legs.
We managed over 11,000 steps today.
Grabbed a roll at Sainsburys and more wine and went back to the hotel.
Guess what - we didn't make it past 7.00pm for bed again. O! Well there is always tomorrow.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Tulips in St James Park





Busker at Coventry Garden Markets



Ready to change into Superman Suit

Big Red Bus!

Kay's friend Yoda

Sunning ourselves in St James Park

Yum, lunch at Bill's SoHo

Outside Coventry Garden Markets

Jenna, Robyn & Kay at lunch

Street performers at Coventry Gardens

DAY 5

Monday 28th

Changed venue for breakfast today and went to Garfunkle's which is attached to the Mercure hotel. They serve nice pork and leek sausages. This morning we caught the number 27 bus and headed to Madame Tussauds wax museum where we did lots of royalty and celebrity spotting. We ran into so many people that we knew like Brad and Ange, George Clooney who gave me a cuddle and Sean Connery who shared his drink with Robyn. Also rubbed shoulders with royals such as Wills and Kate , Lady Diana and several others. Then it was off to the house of horrors, very scary! Lots of beheaded people who were executed on the guillotine and very bad criminals who we're hanging around (excuse the pun). Got into a miniature taxi and toured early London. All in all some very interesting people were met and learnt some very interesting facts about London and Madam Tussaud herself. We then caught the tube to Wood Lane and ventured into a huge Westfield shopping centre, yes they're here too, for a bit more retail therapy, don't know where Robyn is going to put all this shopping!! Of course Kay didn't buy MUCH. It was then time to head back to the hotel for a rest.
For dinner we went across the road to a lovely steak house called the Aberdeen Steak House. The steak was fantastic which is just as well because we figured it probably cost about $A50. Where we are staying is so convenient, right next door to Paddington station and surrounded by restaurants/cafés and convenient stores where they sell everything from liquor to the Oyster card for traveling on the tube and buses and anything else you need.
A few wines and off to bed. We only managed about 8,000 steps today.
Looking forward to our tour tomorrow to Warwick Castle, Stratford, the Cotswolds and Oxford .

Robyn helping Sean Connery with his Scotch

Kay with Taylor Lautner

Kay with Sherlock

Robyn helping Steven direct a flim

Kay getting some religious instructions

ALfred about to embrace (maybe) Kay

Kay chatting to Lady Di - who does not want to stand up!

DAY 6

Tuesday 29th,

An early start to the day as we are on our tour today. Great start - someone wasn't watching where they were going and tripped over the speed hump outside the Hilton hotel where we were being picked up from. The only person concerned was Kay. The doorman said he would have helped but he was busy. Anyway he said "everyone should have at least one trip in London". Such a gentleman.

We got off to a late start as there is a 48 hour tube strike in London.

First stop was Warwick Castle where Robyn was arrested for thievery and Kay for drunkeness.  However, they had to let us go due to lack of evidence. The castle grounds have been turned into an amusement centre. Very little going on though, perhaps because it was a week day. We walked through the castle itself which has many original artefacts, paintings, etc. still in it. Even the books in the library were genuine. Many of the models depicting the people were from Madame Tussaud's. There is always an obligatory souvenir shop at the end.

Next stop was Stratford-Upon-Avon and the birth place of William Shakespeare. The house where he was born and raised is still there and has been turned into a museum.  Much bigger than we anticipated and very interesting. The town itself, like many in England, was very quaint with lots of gorgeous little shops. We had a Devonshire tea at Patisserie Valerie, established in 1926.  We both decided if we lived in England this is where we would like to live!

From there we drove through the Cotswold's. Beautiful countryside and amazing

homes. This is where they film Downton Abbey. There are miles upon miles of

fields of yellow flowers that are used for making canola oil. The contrast of the green grass and yellow canola was amazing.

We then went to Oxford and a walking tour of the college courtyards and cobblestone lanes. The history of these places is wonderful.

Back on the bus for the journey back to London and of course it is raining.

We arrived in London and began our nightmare journey back to the hotel. Four staff members of the underground had us going from one line to another, all with different information until eventually we gave up and caught a taxi.

Bought our wine for the night (but don't tell anyone as we have just got out of the last charges of drunkeness). We also bought mac as (yuk) and headed back to our room.

We are becoming real Londoners and jay walk everywhere now.

Only 8434 steps today.

OXFORD PHOTOS

SHAKESPEAR'S HOUSE & GARDEN

& STRATHFORD - ON -AVON

WARWICK CASTLE

Entrance to Warwick Castle

Kay mixing with Royalty

Warwick Castle

Some of Madam Tussaud's figures

Dining Room

Chapel

Robyn in naughty corner.... again.

DAY 7

Today was our quiet day. Believe it or not we had t-shirts and sunnies on today. Temperature reached 19 degrees. After a leisurely morning we caught the bus into the Strand to see The Lion King. A totally amazing show and well worth the money. We had a slow trip home on the bus, probably because it was peak hour and also I think the train strike was still on.

Kay wanted to have a meal in a British pub so we walked across to the Sawyers Arms and had a chicken, leek and British ham pie. We were hoping for a roast but they must save that for Sunday. 

Not much walking today.

Early night as we are hoping to go to Brighton tomorrow depending on the weather.

HUGS FOR PADDINGTON BEAR

DAY 8

We awoke for our last day in London to the cold and rain.  You definitely need an umbrella to live in this country. After much deliberation we decided to stick to our plan and go to Brighton for the day. A late start but eventually caught the bus to Victoria Station. The station is huge and very like Central Station in Sydney that it services the country trains and also trains for Gatwick airport.  

It costs 30p to pee at the station and Kay said she definitely didn't get her money's worth.

The train to Brighton takes about an hour.  We then walked down to Brighton beach!!!!!!  It certainly makes one appreciate the beautiful beaches we have in Australia.  We walked along to the famous Brighton pier and had a look around. Most of the places were closed. Then a walk to the Royal Pavillion which is a pleasure palace built for King George IV. After a hot chocolate at an Italian cafe we made our way back to the station for the journey home.

We cashed in our Oyster cards before heading back to the hotel to pack.  The price of travel in Britain is very expensive and makes us appreciate our $2.50 all day senior card.

Went back to the Aberdeen Steak House for dinner and back to the hotel.

Thelma and Louise are off to Paris tomorrow.