London visit

London visit and the new year celebrations in Canterbury. 

31 December: 

Went down to the Tate Modern to meet Erin and friends as a last farewell. We had to meet Holly and Ayo about 1pm at Victoria bus station but we were late and they were later. Stephanie and I had time to walk around the station and shops until they arrived and we had a late lunch. Onto the bus and a dark ride to Canterbury where we were met by Mark. A good evening followed with dinner, then Christmas parcels for those who missed out earlier. The kids got out the Nintendo and we all had a go at the dance competition. Unfortunately we were mostly hopeless but hilarity ensued. We then watched the London fireworks and departed for bed.

30 January: Travelled by train to Windsor with a stop at Paddington station and change trains at Slough. A long wait to vidd SSD it the castle but it was worth it in the end. We went through the chapel and it was amazing. The old apartments and the reconstruction of the destroyed areas was startling. It is so good that it had been redone. Hopefully Notre dame will be the same. We met for lunch with David at a pub and a walk down the long walk to enjoy the sunshine. Back to London, then it was time to meet holly and ayo for dinner then night bus tour. This was really good and we had an entertaining guide on the bus. Walk through Leicester square, m and m shop and back to hotel. This was a really late night. 

29 January: the bags arrived. Woo hoo, fresh clothing and Erin able to get sorted with things for Stephanie. We set off after breakfast to get to Trafalgar Square and walk up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. Found a spot on the Victoria statue and watched as the guard went along the road to Clarence House and St James Palace as well. It was cool to see the horses go off too.  Afterwards we walked down to Westminster and I left the girls to go to Southwark for lunch with Tina, Jill and Liz. So much fun was had with catching up and finding out what all had been up to in the intervening years. Finally left about five and walked back to the hotel to meet Erin and Stephanie where they wondered where I had got to. Erins friends Maggie and Siobhan met us in the hotel after we walked to the other side of St Paul’s and we found a local pub called the Punch for dinner. Erin left to go with the girls so they could get settled for the next few nights. An earliest night and a good sleep.

28 January:a good start to the day with wonderful shower and still no bags. After breakfast got the bus and train over to south Kensington. Did the walk along to Egerton Gardens where Erin’s dad used to live in the 1980’s. Along to Harrods and a complete circuit to find the ira memorial. Into Harrods to view the usual food hall and no sale bargains. Looked all over the shop and did get a little bag as a memento. Lunch at the Paxton then a walk along rotten Row to the Albert Memorial and Albert hall. Could not get in to see the card exhibition as fully booked. Caught a bus around Hyde park corner and onto fortnum and Mason. Saw more Christmas lights and other highlights to point out to Erin. Walked home via Somerset house which had a fortnum’s shop in it and skating. Dumped out parcels and back out again to visit Covent Garden where we went to Carluccis for dinner. Back to the hotel to enquire about the bags. 

Changing of the guard 

Windsor Castle with David and Stephanie 

Harrods with Virginia and Stephsnie

Lunch with the girls