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Europe Adventure
  • Simon Cook
Mar – Apr 2023

Europe Adventure

A 33-day adventure by Simon Read more
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  • Simon CookEurope AdventureTraveler

    Travel Day - Sorrento to London

    April 24, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Started the day in warm Sorrento, Italy - and after a taxi (with a very interesting driver who gave us a run down on everything from crime, employment, politics and sport in Italy), a budget plane flight with a couple of hundred poms, train, train, train - made it to our hotel in soggy London.

    The weather here in London is no good today. Cold and driving rain. Hopeful it improves for the remainder of the trip. It’s Monday evening here and we fly home Saturday first thing. Not long to go now.

    But I digress; didn’t get to the hotel until 4pm - but did sneak in a quick trip to “Sherlok Holmes” 221b Baker Street. The Sherlok museum and the Beatles store next door both closed just as we arrived. Just as well - probably would have bought something I don’t need….

    The currency conversion here is decidedly average - an Aperol in the hotel was going to be $22 AUD - which is a fair change from $5 euro in Italy with some free snacks.    Read more

  • Simon CookEurope AdventureTraveler

    London

    April 25, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    Started the day with a jog around Regent Park / London Zoo with Krissi. The houses in the Swiss Cottage area were classic English homes - lots of money there! Good way to start the day despite the fact it was 3 degrees.
    We then headed to the breakfast buffet with the kids - a highlight for Clare who has been asking for a hotel buffet ever since we landed.
    Then we made the hike to Abbey Road Studios for the ‘photo’ and found there was also a merch store. So we decided to keep them afloat and buy a few things….🤣
    Checked out of our hotel and into a black cab for the trip to our next hotel. Dropped off the bags as the room wasn’t ready - and did a little walk to the Thames and Trafalgar Square.
    Next it was the epic trip to Harry Potter Studios all the way out in Watford - which meant a walk, a train, another train and then a shuttle bus.
    All up we were in the tour for 3 hours. It was great actually, but as I’m not a huge HP expert maybe some of it was lost on me. None of it was lost on Clare who had a great time.
    We found a store at the end - and decided to keep them afloat and purchase some merch. 🤣
    Then we made the long trek back to our hotel and out for a pub meal.    Read more

  • Simon CookEurope AdventureTraveler

    London

    April 26, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Big day - started with a jog around Buckingham Palace, St James Park and the Thames with Krissi; then out for a walking and train adventure around London and surrounds including a walk through the Shard and over the Tower Bridge.

    Found ourselves (accidentally) wandering St Saviours Estate and Bermondsey and grabbed a lunch in a cafe. Cheapest meal we have had in 4 weeks!

    Headed back to the tube and out to Harrods for some shopping and then back in to the London Eye for a $300 AUD trip around in a circle for 30 minutes….🤷‍♂️

    Finished the day with a walk to the Seven Dials Markets and a wander through Covent Gardens / SOHO.    Read more

  • Simon CookEurope AdventureTraveler

    London

    April 27, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Started the day with a run around the Thames with Krissi. Nice way to see the sights and get some steps in.
    Then we took the kids to Buckingham Palace - which was very busy - and were treated to an impromptu marching band or three.
    Preparations are well underway for the coronation - we even got a photo in front of the Australian flag, which has pride of place as one of the closest Commonwealth Flags to the palace. Why that made us slightly proud I have no idea….
    Then it was off to the West End to a really nice food hall for lunch.
    Did a spot of shopping and then it was Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Amazing - best musical I’ve ever seen. Met an Australian girl from Sydney who was our usher - she recognised the Adelaide accent and gave us some great tips about the best bathrooms in the venue!
    Came out and the weather had turned - pissing down. Had a drink in a bar and out for pizza but that’s the day done - it’s not an outdoor city when the weather turns.    Read more

  • Simon CookEurope AdventureTraveler

    London - end of trip

    April 28, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    LAST DAY : LONDON : Started the day with a solo run around the Thames - was drizzly but everyone seemed happy and lots of runners out.
    Then off in a double decker bus to the Science Museum (kids choice - don’t judge us for skipping the Natural History Museum….). Had a great lunch outside at a french bakery in South Kensington and then walked through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens with a gelato. Would love to see Hyde Park in summer, even today it had a great energy.
    Made our way to Piccadilly Circus for some shopping / refreshments.
    Then tried to buy a book I’ve wanted - and it was sold out - so power walked back to the top of Charing Road to get a copy.
    Now packing ready to fly home tomorrow…☹️    Read more

    Trip end
    April 30, 2023
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