Last Day

Day dawned and of course the weather sucks. It is cold, rainey and just plain miserable. We decided to go into town anyway and take one of the bus tours however by the time we actually got into town poor Cheryl who is not used to this weather was already freezing so we went on the bus but on the lower covered level. Oh, nearly forgot we got off the Underground at Hyde Park corner where we took off over the park and got to Buckingham Palace just in time to see the changing of the guard, very colorful and quaint but freezing, which brings me back to the bus tour. It was quite excellent but too cold to actually get off the bus to see anything. People getting on the bus were literally chattering their teeth with the cold so we did the tour in the relative warmth of the bus then got off at the place we recognized was the same place we had started on the Jack the Ripper walk and found a hotel for a spot of lunch and of course the ubiquitous cup of tea. Nothing like a cuppa when you are frozen to the bone. We found our way back to the hotel after getting on the wrong train - cold messes with the brain as well for yet another cup of tea.

Relaxing tonight, my last night I have to be leaving the hotel at 5:00 a.m. Yuk, but its been a fabulous time and I have loved every minute of it.

Kew Gardens - Sunday

What an amazing place. 300 acres of marvellous horticulture. We got up late and took out time getting out to Kew Gardens. Got off the train in a tiny little village of Kew packed full of really lovely little quaint shops and old Victorian houses. Walked about 10 minutes from the station and entered at the Victoria Gate. It was rather cloudy when we got there so we decided to do the little tram ride that gives you an overall view of the gardens. After we did that stopped for tea which in iteself was a pleasure and then took off walking. Went into the magnificent Palm house with all the palms from all over the world, Princess conservatory, the Orangey, Nash's building and numerous small gardens like the rock garden, relecting garden. I did the tour of Kew Palace home of George III and his queen Charlotte, fascinating they have refurbished the house as it was at their time early 1800s and these guys might have been royalty but there was not much stuff in this place. It might of been because she had 15 children and all but two survived. Can you imagine....Anyhoo, at the back of the house was a marvellous garden with a nosegay garden included which meant that all kinds of plants used in the late 1700s were planted with their names as they were used then and then the use eg stomach pains, getting rid of boils you name it they had a plant for it.

Because the weather was overcast and a little on the chilly side there were not that many people around so Cheryl and I got to wander all over the gardens, she took lots of pictures, I unfortunately forgot to charge my battery so I will have to get pics from her. We stayed at Kew for hours and decided not to do anything else that day but make our way back to the hotel and sleep.

Bliss....

Family Day

Had great day on Saturday my brother and his son came to pick me up from the hotel, getting lost of course apparently there are two A34s no of which means anything to me as I cant read a map to save my life. Anyhoo, he whisked me away to Romsey to hang out with his family and my Dad and his special friend, Ellie. Absolutely fabulous. Ellie is an absolute hoot and keeps my Dad in check, my Dad looked really good better than I have seen him in years and looks a good 10 years young that his 79 years young. My bru and his lovely wife, Andy, as normal just so much fun to be around, and theirs sons, Jon and his girlfriend Katie and David really enjoyed hanging out. In fact, we decided as it was a lovely day to head into Broadlands for the country show, which actually was like the village fete only bigger. Very interesting, got to see falcons fly and dive bomb something not sure what, owls fly really close to the ground, do you know that you cannot hear owls fly they are practically silent, well if you didnt you do now.... There was lawnmower races, cream teas, and all manner of totally useless stuff. Just goes to show how much England is changed when I lived here 27 years ago the village fete was all about cakes and jams, now it includes curry tasting and exotic foods from practially everywhere. Not a bad big of progress really.
Speaking of curry, my excellent brother got me an Indian meal from the local restaurant which was absolutely delicious and then he had to return me to the hotel.

I had a wonderful time and again was reminded of how much we underestimate how wonderful it is to be loved and belong to a family however far apart we are.

Jack the Ripper

So Cheryl and I finally managed to get out in the evening. She poor girl has been so pooped in the evenings we have just stayed at the hotel but yesterday night we ended up at Tower Hill Underground Station and off we went with every other American in the UK for a walk around the City of London into the seamier side of London retracing the steps of Jack the Ripper. Excellent fun. We of course had the obligatory fish and chip supper before we started and then we set off. Very atmospheric and a great guide who knew the story back to front and did all the various voices. We finished the tour about 9:15 and headed back to the hotel unfortunately we headed the wrong way and had to retrace our steps one stop on the Underground. We finally got on the right line and off we went. Took nearly an hour to get back to the hotel it is quite a way out from the heart of London so we did not get into bed until about midnight.

This morning Ian and Jon picked me up from the hotel after getting lost of course and I am in Romsey for the day with everyone including my dad and his girlfriend. More later.....

Windsor Castle

Decided to take off to look at Windsor Castle today. Have never been before and it was well worth the time and energy. Lovely place and even though it is a castle still retains a hominess that is very attactive. Decided to take a taxi there and back as the hotel is out of the direct route it would have taken me over 2 hours on a buss to get there while a taxi took 30 minutes. Of course the taxi cost 48 pounds which is nearly 100 dollars which is nuts but oh well I am only here for a short time.
Did manage to get some photos but I think will have to wait to download them. Castle has the most amazing picutre by Rembrandt, Van Dyke, Holbein, its one thing to see them in a booi but in real life absolutely fabulous breathtakingly beautiful.
State rooms are very "flashy" and some of the place settings could give you nightmares but on the whole a great day out. Went into St. George's Chapel originally started in 1500s saw the Queen Mother's small crypt. She and her husband George vi are buried under a black piece of granite with just their names on it Very simple, very peaceful nice statement about how they saw themselves.
Came back to the hotel and have a lovely swim.

The Perils of Pauline

Started the day with falling out of the shower and sliding around the bathroom on my butt. The baths here are really deep and so I stepped out of the shower expecting to put my foot on the floor but did not reach down far enough so slipped and slid around like a beached whale, did not hurt myself, thank god, just my dignity. So then cleaned myself up and went to join Cheryl for breakfast and coming back to the room later, she had come back earlier I could not remember the room mnumber and tried to break into 4036 when in actuallity our room number is 4063, had to run down stairs ask the kind Indian gentleman for help which was useless because I think he thought I was breaking in, anyhoo he called the number of the room he thought Cheryl was in and up I came. Some after some heart pounding I was able to relax.
Decided to take a runn into the City. Took free bus from outside the hotel, then got on Underground went so see Museum of London. Very informative went right back tno Stone Age and up to present. Of course today was the day all the schools had school visits but that was fun too as the children had to go around and find stuff so it was like watching a scavenger hunt.

After that headed to St. Paul's Cathedral. Now that is impressive, what iseven m or impressive is that it is a functioning church and at noon there was a communion service. Cheryl and I hope to go to a service on Sunday. Took some time walking around but it is vast so after about 1 1/2 hours left for journey back.
It took about an hour for the trip from the hotel into central London so might just do it again tomorrow. Go somewhere different of course.
Looks like it will be just me going to see Ian, Cheryl is packed with stuff so I think she is going to take Saturday off and let me visit the familia while she chills out which is rather nice and I dont feel I have to entertain her or at least make sure she is not bored, not that one can get bored with my family but hopefully she will see them in the evening when Ian brings me back. Then she and I will "do" London Sunday and Monday which will be wonderful.

Well more tomorrow. Love you all.

second Day

Today it rained, surprise but still very lovely. Cheryl did her first class and it went extremely well. I got up and went swimming in the spa attached to the hotel which was lovely. Came back and spent the rest of the day reading and hanging out in the lounge. All the staff kept coming to check I was okay and I got talking to the young waiter from Paris who wanted to practice his English, very cute. After Cheryl's class we cemt to the Marriatt at Heathrow this evening. Lovely hotel and we managed to get an upgrade to I am living in the lap of luxury for the next 8 days, now sure how I will get back to reality. My goofy brother called tonight although he is better than my goofy son who callee me at 3 in the morning this morning because he forgot the taime difference, sigh!!! Anyhoo, Ian is coming up to get us from Romsey on Saturday to take us back down there to hang out with the family. My father and his lady friend are going to be there and Jon and his girlfried as well as Andy, Ian and David, cant wait. Will be lovely to see them all. Cheryl and I have decided to go on the Jack the Ripper walk on Friday night which will be very exciting.

More tormoow. Will post pics tomorrow will have to reasearch how its done again. :)

First Day - Frimley Hall Hotel

So we had a great flight - did not sleep to much but its abeautiful day. Sunny about 65 degrees and perfect way to start our trip to England scones and tea on the lawn at an old Victorian manor house. They tried to put Cheryl and I in the same bed together but we nixed that we are good friends but not that good. We are now in a room with twin beds but really tiny however we are only hear one night. Took a stroll down into Camberley High Street wandered around and then had fish and chips and a beer - ah lovely.
Cheryl is ready for her first class tomorrow and we are trying to stay awake until at list 8 England time otherwise we will be awake at about 3 in the morning. Not much fun. The dollar is not doing so well against the pound its 2 to 1 ratio so things rather expensive.

More tomorrow.

We are on Our Way

Just sitting at home nervous as all get out waiting for Cheryl and Nick to pick me up to take me to the airport. Going to have a wonderful time in the UK for 9 days. First staying at Frimley Hotel in Camberly and then on to Marriott at Heathrow. Cant wait. Will send pictures of trip on daily basis I hope, hope Cheryl can make out the directions for the camera so we can download stuff, I think its fairly easy but you know me and "stuff".

Talk at you later.