• Marlene Smith
  • Marlene Smith

Ireland/Scotland/London 2024

Millie, Graham, Karry and I teamed up on a 22-day road trip around Ireland and Scotland and finishing with 3 days in London. Millie and I had been planning a trip to Ireland for many years so it was great to finally be on our way! Leer más
  • Day 2 in London

    13 de junio de 2024, Inglaterra ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    This morning we took a walk along the canal near our hotel. Started off quite nicely, some pretty boats and eateries but then deteriorated. We ditched the canal walk and took the bus over to Rick Stein’s restaurant for lunch. It overlooks the River Thames and we had a window table which was lovely. Nice food but for the price a little underwhelming.

    Quick trip over to Buckingham Palace then. It was busy with lots of tourists about. It’s King Charles’ birthday celebrations in a couple of days and they have all the flags up and barricades around everywhere in readiness. We still managed to get some nice shots without too many people in them.

    We are going to see The Lion King tonight so we grabbed a taxi back to the hotel for a couple hours’ rest. Another lot of two for one cocktails in the bar before we set off for the theatre. It’s been great to have this little restaurant and bar downstairs.

    What an amazing show, incredible costumes and set, great dancing and beautiful singing. I don’t know how they managed those costumes but they were incredible. All the animal were fabulous, moved just like the real thing. We all loved it.

    It rained while we were in the theatre but we managed to stay mostly dry and took a quick trip home on the underground.
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  • Last Day in London

    14 de junio de 2024, Inglaterra ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    It’s our last day in London. We have a late check out at the hotel so we have until 12 to see something. Karry & Graham were going to Westminster Abbey so I went with them. Millie decided to stay and organise her suitcase ready for our trip home.

    I was keen to see Big Ben and as it is very close to Westminster Abbey that was no problem. It is really beautiful and the day is spectacular so a great time to see things. We caught the subway in and out with no problems.

    Westminster Abbey is just around the corner, and the line to get in, if you aren’t prebooked is already quite long. We waited about 20 minutes and paid 29 pounds each to enter the Abbey but it was so worth it.

    We didn’t realise so many people have been buried at the Abbey. It’s a bit of a Tardis, it looks quite compact from the outside, inside seems to go on forever, different altars, different rooms, so many tombs. Really you could have stayed there for hours and not seen everything, our attention span is not that long and we are on a bit of a tight schedule.

    After another photo shoot with Big Ben, we figured Millie would be getting anxious for us to get back so back on the underground for a quick trip home.

    We’re having lunch today at The Summerhouse, an easy 10 minute walk from our hotel. As soon as we left the hotel the skies opened up in the heaviest downpour we’ve had the whole trip. Luckily a taxi came along to save us. He hadn’t heard of our restaurant but I had the directions on my phone so we got there and taught a London cabbie something on the way.

    Lunch was delicious and the restaurant lovely and quite busy too. Bubbles, salmon, calamari, fish cakes and lamb rump - they were all a hit. The mango and coconut rice pudding we got for dessert grew on us after a few bites and since we only had one between us we managed to finish it off nicely. This was a great place to finish off our days of eating in London.

    We had a few hours to kill before heading to the airport so we got the Underground to Piccadilly Circus to buy a few souvenirs. Had a walk around Trafalgar Square while we were there.

    A cup of tea back at the hotel and to keep Millie and Graham from getting to the airport way too early, we had a cocktail as well. The train station is quite close to the hotel but it’s a bit convoluted getting to it with suitcases. Luckily someone else was leaving the hotel at the same time and he knew the way. Thank goodness because it was even more complicated than we thought. It was not an easy train station to navigate but luckily our friend helped us find our way. Easy check in and security when we eventually got there, a quick bite to eat and we were on our way.
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  • Home

    16 de junio de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We are home! Another two long flights but home safe and sound.

    We’ve had an amazing 8 week adventure. We packed so many things into that 8 weeks. Visited so many great places, met lovely people, had so many new experiences, stayed at amazing places and enjoyed every day. Great to share it all with Millie and spend quality time with Karry & Graham, Chris & Tanya, Joc and Leanne. Very very special. ❤️❤️Leer más

    Fin del viaje
    16 de junio de 2024