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A 19-day adventure by Magical Mystery Tour Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 3, 2023
    Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Our plane in Perth
    The Big Red BusThe Phoenix Hotel where we are staying for a few nightThe park across the road from the hotelOur local Tube Station- BayswaterBayswater Station stepsAdam and Emi, waiting for Mummy to finish workUs at dinner

    Londinium Day of 1

    September 4, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Arrived in London 4.30am ish. The flight was long but we got into London a bit early.
    We got through immigration OK and they let us into the UK.

    Once we got to the Phoenix Hotel in Kensington Garden Square, we crashed in Dans room and had a shower and a rest. After a little kip we had breaky which is included in our room cost so we had a bite to eat then David and I went for a little walk.

    It seems we hit the jackpot with location as down the road is loads of little shops including a mini Tescos, mini Sainsbury and a mini Waitrose so we are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking up nibbles and yummies.
    We grabbed a few things and went back to the hotel to unpack and get some tours sorted for tomorrow and to catch up with Adam.

    He gave us a call and we are heading to his house for dinner this evening.
    Dan went for a wander to check out the shops and local sights for a few hours before returning. David and Dan went out and got a new SIM card sorted for Dan so he can communicate with us if he wants to do his own thing during our trip.

    We went to Adam and Berta’s house. They are doing lots of renos on their 120 yr old flat. We all went and picked up Emi from day care and found ourselves a lovely Italian Restaurant near their place and had a very yummy dinner together.

    Returned back the hotel via the good ol tube and bus system.
    It’s a very warm English day today, 28 degrees. We are looking at mid to high 20s this week so great weather to do some sight seeing.

    Very weary now, time to snooze.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Harry Potter shop at Kings Cross Station
    Kings Cross StationVictoria StationLuvly buildingdVictoria Coach StationOur rideBuck HouseWhitehallMan on a horsePiccadilly CircusBeautiful buildingsTrafalgar SquareWestminster AbbeySt PaulsTower BridgeExecution DockOXO BuildingLondon EyeBig Ben kids, ParliamentThe Local

    Trains and Boats and Harry Potter

    September 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today we ventured out to do out Big Red Bus Tour and the Thames River Cruise. It has been a stinking hot day here in Londinium, reached 30 degrees. Not so hot you 'd think but it is very sticky. So glad I packed some shorts!

    We jumped on the brilliant tube to get ourselves to Kings Cross Station to go to the Harry Potter shop on Platform 9 3/4. We had a good look around at all of the stuff (and there was alot of stuff) and Dan bought a wand and some Butter Beer.

    We grabbed some lunch and made our way to Victoria Station where we would meet the bus at nearby Victoria Coach Station.

    We had a fantastic double decker bus tour all around central London and stopped at a few of the good touristy sights. Went to Buckingham Palace to say GDay to Chuck and Milly but they weren't home unfortunately.

    Went to Westminster Abbey, did a lap past No 10, drove by Piccadilly Circus, hung out at Trafalgar Square and drove around some beautiful places in London Town before getting on the boat.

    The boat took us up the Thames past Execution Dock and under Tower Bridge and London Bridge and then spun around to take us down stream past the OXO Building, Big Ben, Parliament to the London Eye. Where we got off to get back on the bus to take us back to Vic Station where we headed back home.

    What a great way to spend our 25th Anniversary. Going to the local pub for dinner. We are pretty worn out and I can't feel my knees anymore 😉. Not really sure what we have planned for tomorrow but we'll think of something!    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    One of Hamleys electric stairs
    Entry to HamleysLego HagridMore HP stuffEven more HP stuffLego HarryA Playmobil GullwingThis ain't no mock Tudor, it's the real dealThe old part of Baker Street StationMore of old Baker Street Station, but no Sherlock Holmes to be seen???Finsbury CircusThe Barbican CentreDan at Portobello Markets

    Hamleys Toy Store and Barbican Lunch

    September 6, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Today we have had a relatively easy day. We lazily got up and and took our time with our breaky before jumping on the Tube to make our way to Hamleys Toy Store on Regent Street

    It is spread over many floor with a Harry Potter Shop in the basement. You can get any type of toy you like there. I mostly concentrated on the Playmobil and Lego but we still did the Star Wars, Harry Potter, Gaming and all the other sections (and there were many).

    Unfortunately for us and all the other customers the air con was being fixed and it got to 31 deg today. I miss our pampered air conditioned buildings.

    After Hamleys we had a wander around Regent Street ans surrounds. It's a pretty nice part of town. Full of expensive clothing stores and jewellery shops. We made our way to where Adams office is which is very near a lovely open area called Finsbury Circus Gardens. It is surrounded by a crescent beautiful buildings with the circus as the central feature. loads of people out at lunchtime enjoying the sun whilst having their lunch.

    We met Adam at his office and we all had lunch together. Adam took us to The Barbican Centre, it is a brutalist building from the late 80's. It's a concrete mass which is a cultural centre for theatre, galleries and eateries. We had lunch there and spent some time with Adam.

    We left Adam to get back to work and Dan wanted to go and check out some record shops at Shepherds Bush. I jumped of the train at our station whilst David and Dan went on to do their record stuff.

    They ended up at Portobello Markets. Dan bought himself a few records and a really nice leather jacket (although it's way to hot to wear it!).

    David bought me a beautiful map of the Cotswold area from 1825. So lovely, can't wait to frame it and hang it at home.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    2Welcome to Stow
    The entry at Victoria HouseOur roomThe Market SquareThe Market SquareThe Market SquareHaving a cuppa near the Market SquareMore of the Market SquareAnd again34 degrees todayTime to fill upChipping NortonTime to fill upDiddly Squat FarmTime to fill upBeautiful back road

    Diddly Squat in the Cotswolds

    September 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Leaving London and the Phoenix Hotel at Kensington Square Gardens for the Cotswolds today. We piled into a Mini Cab (Uber) and headed back to Heathrow to pick up the hire car.

    We were lucky enough to get an upgrade, which we thought was great. To find out our upgrade was to an EV………… that means no internal combustion engine 😮. We hopped onto the M4 and off we went, quietly towards Stow On The Wold. We bypassed Oxford (we will explore it tomorrow possibly) and went on the B roads which took us through some beautiful little villages and towns on the way to Stow.

    We rolled into Stow about 2pm. Is such a pretty village with a huge open area that was once the market square selling hay, grains, livestock and other local produce. Its now a huge parking area for tourists and locals as there is no off street parking or very little.

    We are staying at Victoria House. It is a beautiful old 19th century former brewers house located on Sheep Street. As beautiful and full of history as these old places are, they are very uncomfortable to be in during an English heat wave, 34 deg today.

    We had a wander around Stow and looked in the shops and bakeries, even stopped for a cuppa. After our walk we went back to Victoria house to unpack before heading of on a drive to Chipping Norton for a laugh to see Clarksons Farm.

    It was a lovely drive through the tree lines back roads. We arrived at the Didley Squat Farm Shop but unfortunately Jeremy Clarkson wasn’t there.
    By the time we took off from the farm, we saw we needed to charge the car.

    Should be straight forward we thought……NOT. You would assume England would have this electric vehicle infrastructure sorted……WRONG. We have found it hard to find a charging station. They all charge the car at different electrical rates, and nowhere provides free charging. We had to leave the car at the Tesco’s on their charging station for hours. Dan and David went back after dinner to get it, luckily Tesco’s shuts at 11pm.

    Been another big day, looking forward to more exploring of the Cot Coty Cotswolds!    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Talbot Court
    Cottswolds Motoring MuseumCheltenhamTIme for a fill up of electricityBlenheim PalaceThe room where Churchill was bornGreen drawing roomRed drawing roomGreen writting roomState dining roomWriting roomCorridorThe Long LibraryBreakfast room where Churchill ateDan and WinnyBlenheim Palace forecourtBlenheim GardensBlenheim GardensBlenheim Gardens

    Just Popping to the Palace

    September 8, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    This morning David and I went to a little cafe in Talbot Court. It is a cute little area full of small shops and eateries. We had a coffee and the most amazing cinnamon bun. Might need another one tomorrow perhaps???

    Today was a little drive to visit the Cotswold Motor Museum. It in the lovely little village of Cheltenham . It's such a tiny village, so small we couldn't get parking long enough to spend any time at the museum, so we missed out on seeing it.

    That was OK because we went to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock instead not to far away- just as long as we had enough electricity in the car to get there!

    Blenheim is a huge pile owned by the Duke of Marlborough. He lives in Woodstock but often entertains at Blenheim.

    Winston Churchill was born there and he has ties to the Palace through family.
    We got to see the State Rooms, the room where Winny was born, the Churchill exhibition and did a separate tour of the downstairs servants area and the upstairs private living area of the Duke.

    As it is still in use by the owners, the private areas (being the upstairs and downstairs) we were not allowed to take any photos. The State Rooms allowed photography so we have plenty of those to share. We spent over 4 hours looking around, it was so huge and very well looked after.

    From Blenheim Palace we made our way home in the late arvo and stopped at the Big Bell pub. We had a few drinks and a yummy pub dinner in the cooler evening.

    We are having alot of issues with the internet here in Stow, it is making it hard to call each other as we are only using Whats App. But hey, life could be much worse.

    Tomorrow we check out of Victoria House and spend Saturday night at MacDonald Alviston Manner. That will be a nice experience, can't wait to stay in manor house.

    Maegan and Enzo arrive in London tomorrow so will see them when we get back to London on Sunday and commence our stay in the Putney apartment together.

    That's our Friday. See you all Saturday.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Glouster Cathedral
    The NaveThe cloister used in the first two Harry Potter filmsOne of the tiny doors leading to the cloisterThe court yard surrounded by the cloistersThe other cloister used in the first two Harry Potter filmsBeautiful stained glass windowCellarChoir areaPresbyteryPart of the ambulatoryKing Edward II resting placeGloucester CathederalGloucesterGloucesterGloucesterStar Wars exhibitStar Wars exhibitMacdonald Alviston Manor, the 16th century part of the buildingMacdonald Alviston Manor, the 70's addition to the building

    Gloucester and Stratford

    September 9, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Last night, as there are little to none charging facilities in Stow, we managed to sneak the car into the retirement village next door and hooked up the EV to one of their chargers overnight. David popped back this morning to find the car with a full charge, not sure how far that will get us but we'll give it a go !

    Today we are on our way to Stratford Upon Avon but as our check in t o Macdonald Alviston Manor isn't until 3pm, we are taking a detour to see Gloucester Cathedral. Here they filmed some of the Harry Potter scenes in the cloisters at the cathedral.

    It is a huge church and there was alot to see inside. The stained glass windows were incredible and so full of bright colours. The cloisters surround three sides of the cathedral and surround a peaceful court yard.

    We entered directly inside into the nave. a huge space with massive column reaching up to vaulted ceilings. (sounds like a real estate ad to sell a house). There is a typical layout of a closed off area for the choir that leads up to the presbytery. These areas are surrounded by a walkway or ambulatory and it has may tombs along it including King Edward II who was murdered.

    David and Daniel went up the spiral staircase to the Tribune Gallery that wraps around the presbytery. You get a better overhead view of the cathedral from there.

    After we finished at the cathedral we wandered around Gloucester which is a lovely smaller city. During our wander, Dan found an advert for a Star Wars exhibition at the Gloucester Museum so we of course went there. On the way David and Dan found a record shop so we had to go there too. Dan bought some more vinyl to add to his collection, he's doing quite well with the shopping.

    The Star Wars exhibit is a private collection of original toys from 1977. It was great to see and remember the toys we once had as kids although David still has all of his originals, still in the boxes they were sold in.
    It was a pretty cool exhibit, if you like that stuff that is.

    From Gloucester we got back on the road again and made our way to Stratford Upon Avon for our stay in the Manor house. Macdonald Alviston Manor House is a beautiful huge manor. Originally from the 16th century, it has been added to over the years and is on beautiful grounds.

    I have been so excited to stay. We drove up the lush driveway to an amazing manor house. We booked in and drove around the back to the part of the house where our rooms are..... in a 70's addition.

    The room is large with a shower in the bathroom (have been having a bath the last couple of nights) and is very comfortable but none the less, disappointing not to be staying in the 16th century part of the manor. First world problem I guess.

    Heading back to London tomorrow, who knows what we will find along the way?    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Reception room
    The Coach HouseThe gardensA reception roomStairs to Dans roomDans roomOur room with 4 post bedBoating on the Avon RiverThe Avon RiverStratford streetsStratford streets

    Macdonald Alviston Manor: An Update

    September 9, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    As I have mentioned previously, the weather here has been just horrible hot.
    Having said that, we were getting settled in our room and David remarked that the room was cooking. It is supposed to be aircon'd but it didn't appear to be working, nor was Dan's room as his room was next door.

    We popped to the downstairs bar and David went to let the manager know the aircon wasn't working in either room. David had managed to get us new rooms with working aircon AND they are both in the 16th century part of the manor house.

    Our room is in the coach house and Dan has his in the manor itself but he isn't next door anymore (I don't think that bothers him at all).

    So my disappointment has turned to excitement and happiness- YAY!    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    The Lord of the Manor
    The electric stairs at the shopsCoach buildingMore carsThe art deco car periodPrincess Elizabeths carA mock up of an old garageA Dennis fire engineQueen Marys carHillmanTriumphMore carsThe mighty Hillman ImpLundun black cabCar man DavoThe Old BillOn the BusesElectric carF1Time to fill up- again

    Back to London via Coventry

    September 10, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We woke up and had a full English breakfast at the hotel restaurant before we packed up and left for Coventry. As we drove along the route towards Cov we had a detour as the road had melted from the heat and was unusable. We eventually found our way along the detour to Coventry Motor Museum.

    This museum is huge full of motoring history from wooden bicycle to today's cars. So much to see, such a brilliant exhibition. It goes through Coventry’s motoring industry and how it became a huge industry in Britain and how it was leveled during the WW2 with very little remaining. The industry rebuilt after the war until the 70s when it pretty much collapsed.

    It was a very worthwhile visit and so much to see, we loved it. Dan didn’t join us, he went shopping again and we met him after for a quick bite to eat before making our way to London. We had to fill up the tank with electricity on our way home but we got to our flat in Putney in the late afternoon.

    Shortly after Maegan and Enzo arrived and the lads went to Sainsburys to get some supplies. Enzo put together a yummy nibbles dinner of meats, cheese and bread- simple but yummo.

    We’re all tired and worn out so the plan is to have an easy day tomorrow so I can get some washing done.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Last tank full of electricity
    Rail road and bridgeBunch of crazy crackersTide out on the ThamesUber boat on the Thames

    The Day Off

    September 11, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Today was a total rest day. David took the car back to Hertz at Heathrow, Dan has taken himself into London to do some more exploring and I have just stayed at the flat doing the washing and resting my weary knees.

    Maegan and Enzo headed out later in the morning to visit Enzos sister Rita and spend the arvo with her. I managed to get our week’s worth of washing done so we will no longer walk around smelly.

    It’s a very short entry today as we did very little. We walked to the local pub for a quick dinner in the cool evening air. It seems the weather is cooling down so it will be nice to do our touristy thing not bathed in sweat.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Camden Markets
    Camden from the riverCamden MarketsCamden, graffitiAmy Winehouse statue, she was a Camden girlClutterbucks Ale House, one of the Jacks victim was drinking here the on the evenening they met JackThrawl Street and the pub where one of the Jacks victim was drinking the on the evenening theyThe orginal streets of WhitechapelThe orginal streets of WhitechapelThe orginal streets of WhitechapelThe orginal streets of WhitechapelThe orginal streets of WhitechapelThe White Chapel in WhitechapelThe new streets of WhitechapelThe Hoop and GrapesDinner at the Hoop and Grapes

    From Camden to Whitechapel

    September 13, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    The weather has at last gone back to being English. It’s much cooler with cloudy skies.

    Dan and David went to Camden Markets today. Dan has really been shopping up a storm. He’s been off on his own exploring wherever he thinks there may be something interesting to see or buy. I think he’s going to need a bigger bag to take his stuff home in.

    Enzo, Maegan and I stayed home and just wandered around Putney High Street and surrounds. Found ourselves in a nice pub having a nice lunch and a drink.

    We got back to our apartment and soon after we got a message from Dan telling us that David got on the train in the Underground and before Dan could get on, the doors closed and the train took off. Separated in the London Underground as it nears peak hour- not to good.

    They were heading to Leicester Square so lets hope David doesn’t head back to Dan whilst Dan is on his way to Leicester Square….. Eventually they caught up with each other and kept on shopping.

    We had our Jack the Ripper walking tour tonight. A 2 hour tour (not a Gilligan 3 hour tour). It was a really good tour, we walked the streets of Whitechapel and were shown all the significant spots where Jack The Ripper was active. Some of these places are now new building but some of the places are still there and the old building from the 1800’s. The guide was animated, and he was very passionate about his history and he was born and raised and still lives in Whitechapel.

    After the tour we went to a pub, “The Hoop and Grapes”, to rest our sore feet and had a yummy dinner before jumping back onto the Tube for our journey back to out Putney flat. When arrived home just before midnight we were so tired that we all got into bed, no showers were had.

    The next morning, we discovered that there is no water at all in south London- NONE! Apparently, there is some kind of power issue and the water pumps aren’t working. We are really embracing the baby powder and deodorant today.
    I think today we will spend the day north of the Thames in London town where there is water 😆    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Covent Garden Market
    Covent Garden MarketHorse drawn OnmibusHorse drawn OnmibusEarly overground carridgeEarly overground carridgeInside aneEarly overground carridgeSteam engineLondon Transport MuseumLondon Transport MuseumEarly Taxi CabTrolly busTramEarly version of todays busEarly version of todays Big Red BusEarly Big Red Bus but yellowRetired Tube carInside an early underground Tube carThe Covent Garden MarketsAll of the families at Adam and Burta's place

    London Transport Museum

    September 13, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Woke up to no water today in South London. Very unpleasant so we are going to spend the day in London where water is a plenty. Eventually the water came back online and we were all able to have showers. Once we destinkafied, we all headed out.

    Maegan and Enzo went to Adam and Berta’s house to help them with wedding stuff. We made our way to the London Transport Museum. This exhibits the history of public transport in London from horses to the present day buses and Tube. It is located in the old flower markets in Covent Garden, where a scene from My Fair Lady was filmed.

    We started back in time when the horse drawn carriage was on the scene carrying passengers around London. This progressed to the horse drawn Omnibus where more passengers could be moved around the town therefore making it more affordable to people. From here it grew and other types of transport were tried but was not as reliable or able to carry as many passengers as the horse drawn vehicles.

    Then came along the train which was disruptive to the houses so it was decided to have the train routes below ground- the Tube was born as Londoners main transport. It was so interesting to see the old modes of transportation and we could sit in some of the carriages and rails cars to see what it was like many years ago.

    After the Transport Museum we did a spot of shopping in the Covent Markets, Dan again had a good day buying himself a very nice leather satchel. We wandered around the Covent Garden Area before getting a cab to Adams house for an evening nibble and to meet Burta’s parents who have come over from Spain for the wedding tomorrow. Such lovely people.

    We have a big day tomorrow so will try to get a good nights rest.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Newly married Mr & Mrs Trozzo
    The Trozzo familyBerta and AdamLittle Emi and her Grandmother EmiNonno Enzo and his bambiniAdam, Emi and BertaMaegan, Pepe, Carmen, Little Emi, Adam, Rita, Berta, Emi, EnzoAll the Trozzo'sRenaissance HotelUs two

    The Trozzo Wedding

    September 14, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today is WEDDING DAY for Adam and Berta (and little Emi too). They got married at the Chelsea Town Hall this morning with both parents and two friends as witnesses. After the ceremony they all had a wedding breakfast before heading to the afternoon high tea at the Renaissance Hotel at St Pancras.

    We caught up with Trozzo relatives we haven't seen for nearly 10 years. We caught up with Enzo's sister Rita, Rita's long time friend Carmen was there too. We chatted for hours and they were so surprised to Daniel as he was 11years old when they saw him last.

    The Renaissance Hotel is an amazing hotel, it was previously the original rail station for St Pancras but is now a beautiful up market hotel. We had a very lovely high tea with yummy scones, sandwiches, cakes and tea/coffee. So full, not sure how we are going to fit in dinner???? But I am sure we will find a way.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    The British Museum
    Inside the British Museum

    A Day at the British Museum

    September 15, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Today I had another day off and stayed in the flat whilst David & Dan went to the British Museum and Maegan & Enzo planned to spend the morning with Adam & Berta and the arvo with Enzo’s brother Santo and his wife Pauline.

    David and Dan said the British Museum was amazing. So much to see and full of history and artifacts. They spent many hours looking around at all it has to offer. They both bought a few books and bits and pieces from the museum to take home. After the museum they visited some book shops.

    After their big day out at the museum, we all went to the Prince of Wales Pub for some good ol Pub Grub.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Mitre Hotel
    Our beautiful lunchGiggling EmiEnzo making his speach with Pepe alongsideEmi and DaddyThames front terraceMr & Mrs TrozzoThe terrace on the ThamesHampton Court PalaceHampton Court PalaceHampton Court PalaceThe front entry of Hampton Court PalaceHampton Court PalaceHampton Court PalaceHampton Court PalaceHampton Court PalaceThe Thames River

    Happy Birthday AND Hampton Court

    September 16, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Today is Alex’s 20th birthday. He had a family gathering last night at home with Aunty Deb, Uncle Kev, Aunty Carol and Aunty Lisa. They had pizza, cheesecake and Alex’s favourite ginger beer. We gave him a video call this morning as we had our celebratory 20th birthday cooked breakfast here in Putney. A BIG Happy Birthday to our Alex, we miss you and hope you have a great day today. Love you lots 😘.

    We are having a slow start to the day and we will eventually make our way to Adams on the bus ready for our lunch at Hampton Court. The plan is to have lunch and pop across the road to have a look at Hampton Court Palace if we get time. I have packed my sneakers in my bag incase we do.

    Todays lunch is to celebrate Adam & Berta’s wedding with all of the London Trozzo family (Aunties, Uncles, Cousins). It was good to see everyone after many years. The food was fabulous. I had the roast beetroot with goats cheese for starters, steak for main and lemon baked cheesecake for desert- it was so yummy. We had a few drinks and spent a lot of time chatting. During our meal. Enzo made a very sweet speech for Adam and Berta.

    We went down to the Thames front terrace for afters and eventually left around 5pm. However that was too late to tour the palace but the lovely security man at the gate let us in to have a walk around the front gardens. So I kind of did get to visit Hampton Court Palace but didn’t get to tour it (maybe next time we are in England).    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Camden lock
    Camden lockCamden MarketsCamden MarketsCamden MarketsThe back of a Boris busBig Ben looking sweeeetPalace of WestminsterPalace of WestminsterThe rear of Westminster AbbeyOne of the BatsuitsEveryone needs a Bat CycleAnother Bat suitHeath Ledgers Joker costumeThe JokerDan and his new friend Tommy

    Camden Market ReVisit

    September 17, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Another late-ish start this morning. Maegan and Enzo are off tomorrow so they are sending today with Adam.

    Dan headed off on another Dan day. We found a Batman Exhibition that is in London for three days only and today is the last day, so that is his first destination this morning. He said it was amazing! He has also booked tickets to a cult film The Room directed by Tommy Wiseau and a Q&A with him. Dan got a signed script and got to meet Tommy. He came home with lots of purchases from the Batman exhibit. He had a brilliant day out.

    We went back to Camden Markets, I hadn’t been there yet and it was quite overwhelming as it is so huge with millions of stalls/shops. So many shops to look in with such a diverse array of stuff. I bought a few little things and we had lunch there before jumping on a Boris Bus to go to Big Ben/Parliament.

    All the tours of Westminster Palace (Parliament) were sold out thoruigh the week and there aren't any tours on Sunday so we just walked around the outside, ducking under cover to try to avoid the rain showers. Big Ben is so full of colour after it’s conservation work during 2017 to 2021. The combined bell, clock and tower is popularly known as Big Ben but the tower is the Elizabeth Tower, the clock is the Great Clock of Westminster and the bell is Big Ben or the Great Bell.

    Tomorrow is our last full day in London, the sight seeing tour will still roll on.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    East Putney Station
    Imperial War MuseumA panel of the Berlin WallThe main hall of Imperial War MuseumAussie bomber fuselageMilitary BMW R65The Nazi emblem for the top of the German ChancelloryWWI 18 inch Naval battleship gunsBig Ben againVisitors entry to ParliamentThe Great HallThe Great HallOur enrty ticket to the House of CommonsCouple of crazy coconuts about to enter ParliamentThe Great HallSherlocks House at 221B Baker StreetSherlocks House at 221B Baker StreetSherlocks House at 221B Baker StreetSherlocks House at 221B Baker StreetSherlocks House at 221B Baker Street

    Imperial War Museum and Parliament

    September 18, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Maegan and Enzo flew away this morning so we are all on our own. We are off to the Imperial War Museum. All the museums here are free entry which is great. It is a huge building consisting of 5 floors but the top two are school resources and an event space.

    The first floor is dedicated to WWI and how the British won that. The second floor is WWII and how the British won that, the third floor is dedicated to the Holocaust, other foreign conflicts and terrorist attacks. We spent hours there wandering around looking at how the world had been involved in so many wars and conflicts and the really sad thing is that it seems humanity hasn’t really learnt much from any of these.

    From here Dan went to visit Sherlock Holmes’ house and David and I went to visit the Palace of Westminster. The tours were all sold out so we thought we’d try our luck getting into the public gallery AND THEY LET US IN. After I got pulled aside for setting of the metal detector which turned out to be my knee braces.

    We first went into the House of Commons where they were debating the High Speed train link to Birmingham. It was quite animated and just as boring as our Parliament Question Time but so interesting to see. There was no photos allowed in the chambers but we could take some snaps before we went in.

    We stayed in the House of Commons for about half and hour and them went to see what was happening in the House of Lords. There seemed to be quite a few old gentlemen sleeping (that’s what it looked like) and this chamber was very different to the House of Commons. It was very ornate with lots of gold leaf on the beautiful walls and ceiling. The debate wasn’t as robust as the Commons, far more polite. They were debating child care and how it needs to be more accessible and affordable. It was such a fabulous experience to take in.

    We caught up with Adam, Berta and Emi for the last time before we go home tomorrow. It has been such a wonderful couple of weeks and would love to stay longer but we can’t so it is off to Heathrow tomorrow to come home.    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    "Squirrel !!!"
    Earls Court StationOur quite comfy hotel roomBritish Airways plane landingTurkish Airlines plane landingAmerican Airlines plane landingAer Lingus plane landingBritish Airways plane landingSAS plane landingAir China plan landingAir Portugal plane landingSome Scottish plane landingLufthansa plane landingAir China and Air Poryugal planes approching their gatesLufthansa plane landingBritish Airways plane landingAl Italia plane landingRoyal Jordanian plane landingKLM plane landing

    Qantas Says "NO"

    September 19, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    Last night we got home to an email from Qantas sent at 9.30pm to inform us our flight had been cancelled. It has been moved to tomorrow at 9am, no explanation given. David rang Qantas and they offered us £100 ea for accommodation which doesn’t get you much in London. We have had little sleep trying to sort out with Qantas and to find a hotel to stay in.

    Eventually we managed to get a couple of rooms at a hotel at Heathrow so we don’t have to worry about early morning train ride with luggage to the airport tomorrow. They were kind enough to give us an early check in at 11.30am instead of 3.00pm. We had a light lunch at the hotel café and a relax/rest after that in the room.

    So today is our last day in London. Not that we will be doing any sightseeing today. Except for a bit of plane spotting. The hotel is on the edge of the runway, just like Daryl Kerrigans house, and it costs extra if you want a view of the runway and planes landing and taking off. I'm pretty happy we are in the low end room where we aren't on the runway.

    Enjoy the plane spotting bloggees    Read more

  • Magical Mystery TourLondon2023Traveler
    Our flying machine at Heathrow

    Back in the Land of OZ

    September 21, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    After a long flight we arrived home. Home Sweet Home. It’s great to be back. It’s been a challenge with my knees and all of the km’s of walking and many stairs to climb. We have had such a fantastic time in London. Managed to see loads and catch up with the UK Trozzo family. Highlight has obviously Adam and Berta’s wedding celebrations.

    Looking forward to getting some sleep in our own beds AND seeing our Alex and FoziG 🐶 too.

    Thanks for reading our adventures, not sure when we will be doing something like this again. "It's good bye from me and it's good bye from them"    Read more

    Trip end
    September 21, 2023
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