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France and England 2024
  • Elizabeth Cameron
  • Elizabeth Cameron

France and England 2024

A 49-day adventure by Elizabeth Read more
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  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 26 Ambleside and Windermere

    June 18, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    The morning started with another yummy breakfast in the conservatory. Overcast day but with the sun trying to come out.
    Ambleside, 1.6 miles away was first stop. It was very busy, cafes and restaurants aplenty and accommodation galore. Fun to walk around but pleased we are staying in Grasmere. One highlight was the tiny stone house on the bridge which is now run by the National trust. Coffee called and we tried booking the cruise on the Coniston river for the afternoon...sold out...ooops, so booked for Thursday. Fingers crossed for good weather!
    Plan B, down to Windermere for a wander. On the way Chris remembered a cafe on Windermere lake so we stopped for a nice lunch at the jetty and museum. The water was clear and the swans with their babies were very happy too. Beautiful scenery and peaceful. Windermere itself was interesting to walk around with some nice looking cafes and many pubs.
    Home for our gin and tonics, more planning for this week and next week before dinner at 1796, a restaurant 10mins away at The Inn. Very tasty dinner and not noisy.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 27 Hill Top Farm and Newby Bridge

    June 19, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    So much for the weather forcasting a cold and overcast day...breakfast in tshirts and sunglasses!!
    About 940am we drove to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's house in Near Sawrey where she wrote some of the books. Again, beautiful countryside, blue sky and narrow roads with dry stone walls along the way. The garden leading up to the house was where some of the illustrations from The Adventures of Tom Kitten were set, including the white gate and stone walls. Inside, the rooms were set up with mostly original things. The history of the house was also documented in each room. We wandered through the garden where all the vegetables were growing, the wheelbarrow by the fence and the watering can, spade and sieve were also in the garden. We had a lovely coffee in the orchard before walking down the street to see the house where Beatrix Potter was meant to live. Lunch beckoned so we headed down narrow roads towards the ferry to Windermere only to find it was not running and the road was closed!! Slight detour...dirt and very very narrow roads or tracks eventualy led us to Newby Bridge and the The Swan hotel. Lunch on the river in the sun was most welcome and very relaxing. Fish, chips and mushy peas for me...still not a fan of the peas!! Home on the main road with a stop in Windermere for amazing ice creams.
    Home by 5pm, scones and jam were waiting on the verandah with a gin and tonic.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 28 Cruise on Coniston river

    June 20, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    With no plans for this morning, we had a leisurely breakfast in the conservatory with the sun out and the doors open...pretending it was warmer than 16 degrees!!!
    I had a lovely walk through Grasmere, down the laneways and into the different shops. Many outdoor adventure shops, cafes, tea shops and trinket type places. Not a snow globe in sight for Sarah!!
    1230pm we left for Coniston and our river cruise. Another lovely drive through narrow and windy roads. After parking in the Coniston tourist centre we walked for about 15mins to the pier. We had booked the Steam yacht gondola full cruise which is run by the National Trust and went for 1hr 45mins. The Coniston river is 5 miles long and half a mile wide. We heard how the Gondola has a long history and association with Coniston in the Victorian era and about her rescue and rebuild 40 years ago. The engine room was open to view and we could watch the engineer. We also heard about Donald Campbell and his pursuit of the world water speed record as well as the legacy of John Ruskin's work and his life at Brantwood. It was a very peaceful cruise with more beautiful countryside and lots of watersports to watch.
    A quick drink, home and out for dinner at Jumble Room, a small and intimate restaurant with amazing food. Peter and I had Swedish meatballs that were exquisite. The lamb stew arrived and smelled divine and my forkful verified that. My chicken melted in my mouth and the vegies with the hommus were incredible. Janet's cheesecake and raspberry swirl ice cream was also 'to die for'!! Needless to say, we waddled home happy and sat outside reading and 'doing penguin' until 930pm when the light started to fade. Each weekend the paragliders come to Grasmere for competition. They were practising tonight.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 29 Keswick and Workington

    June 21, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Another sunny day in Grasmere, despite being told the Lakes has more rain than in most places in the UK. With Keswick in the GPS, we headed to the Derwent pencil Museum about 30mins away.
    Upon entry we were given a lead pencil each and a questionnaire for fun. Janet and I got distracted halfway through and sat and did some colouring in leaving Peter and Chris to finish the questionnaire! The museum was fascinating and well set out. It was interesting to see the different packaging especially for me with the 6 layer pencils which I got for my 13th birthday and still have!! Then we hit the gift shop, it was overwelming and I felt like a kid in a candy shop!! A few tins of pencils and a pair of earrings later we left to find lunch in Keswick.
    Keswick was busy with a pedestrian only area. Lunch and then we had a wander through the main part of town enjoying the sunshine.
    Next stop the beach...Workington Pier looked good and only 30mins away...with the wind blowing and overcast we walked to the pier to see the Atlantic Ocean. In the distance was the Isle of Man and an off shore wind farm. Onto the beach we went, negotiating the pebbles and rocks. I did put my hands in the water, too cold for my toes! Janet as well but the wave caught her out!!
    Wind blown and cold, we came home for scones, jam and cream. Gin and tonics followed.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler
    212

    Day 30 Grasmere circular walk

    June 22, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Yet another glorious day in Grasmere, blue sky, sun and 18 degrees. With the recommendation from staff at Bridge Hotel, we set off to walk around Grasmere lake ie the circular track. Having googled the way, I led....there is a moral there...!! Past William Wordsworth's house and turn left so we did...up and up we went with great views down to Grasmere. Then down we went towards the A591...why did we go up at all when we were meant to be going around Grasmere Lake...mmm. Chris took the road home at this point as the climb down was uneven and slippery and he was unsure about the rest of the walk. From here we wound our way through meadows, over bridges and babbling brooks dodging all the dogs and the many other people also out walking. Everything was so green and fresh and the track was well signposted. We did come across a beach which had pebbles of course. The dogs were loving the beach and chasing the sticks. We followed the lake then walked on the road watching Grasmere get closer!!
    Lunch at the Tea Room was well earned and deserved after 6km!
    In the afternoon we visited the Wordsworth museum and Dove cottage. The tour and video were worthwhile and informative. We loved walking through the woodland and orchard which were part of the cottage.
    Home via the show ground. We were fascinated watching the paragliders above and as they came in to land. Gin and tonics in the garden then a yummy dinner of lamb racks and an affogato at Lewis Bistro.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler
    1

    Day 31 Tarn Hows

    June 23, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Tshirts and sunscreen at the ready, we headed south to Tarn Hows near Coniston to walk around the lake....oops ended up at Coniston lake...meant to have turned right back up the road! Parked the car watching all the families unpacking for a day on the lake...18degrees...mm. Plan B and Janet at the helm, we walked along the road towards Brantwood, a place we had seen from the cruise and where John Ruskin had lived. Off to the right was a public footpath through the fields with a view of the lake. Through a variety of gates, dodging cow paddies, mud, puddles and negotiating with a big black cow at one of the gates, we made it to Brantwood. Nice lunch on the terrace then down to the jetty through the lovely garden and apple orchard. The walk back to the car was more straight forward as we followed the road. Scones and tea at the hotel followed by our last gin and tonic in these amazing glasses sitting in the sun!
    Dinner at the pub across the road with the sun still shining.
    Sad to be leaving here...Would love to come back both to the hotel and the district to more walking.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 32 Grasmere to Kirkby Stephen

    June 24, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    The weather gods were shining on Grasmere again today as we sat on the verandah enjoying the sun and our last yummy cooked breakfast before heading to the Dales.
    First stop was Haltwhistle which was 1.5hrs drive and is meant to be the centre of the UK. The tourist information advised us where we could see Hadrian's Wall, Roman ruins and the Fort. Lunch at Twice Brewed pub then to Housesteads Roman Fort. The scenery was amazing and so different to Grasmere and surrounds. The walk up to the wall and ruins was rough and steep with the sheep bleeting as we trudged past! You could see into the forum that was meant to have the oldest toilet but we didn't go in. Janet and I clambered along a track beside Hadrian's wall looking for a spot to climb up...and we did!! In fact, we could've stepped over the fence into the forum but it was too hot!! Ice creams all round before before heading back to the car.
    GPS set for Kirkby Stephen railway...M6...70 mi/h...quick grocery shop and to our new accommodation, the station masters cottage at the station at Kirkby Stephen. This is the Settle Calisle train line that runs between Leeds and Carlisle. There are 3 station masters cottages on this line that have been done up for renting. Our cottage is lovely and very well equipped. We had a lot of fun on the platform ie our front garden, enjoying our gin and tonics and toasting the train drivers!! The seat was just near the overhead bridge so we had a great view of the viaduct, the signal box and the beautiful countryside. Lots of laughs and photos. And to top off the day, Janet picked some flowers to go on the fireplace.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 33 Kirkby Stephen

    June 25, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Lazy start to the day as we heard the train announcements and trains rolling by. No trains during the night which was a nice surprise. Breakfast and laundry done, the sun out, we walked to Kirkby Stephen, about 1.6 miles away. The track from here was well signposted and on bitumen. Down dale and up and again past fields of sheep and through a few gates we came to a cross road. The sign said left but i had found a 'walk' through the fields so off we went...it was an adventure as we climbed over stiles and through kissing gates while trying to follow the instructions I had!! It did take longer than if we had stuck to the bitumen but not nearly as much fun.
    Kirkby Stephen was bigger than we all thought. Many pubs, cafes and trinket shops as well as the market place in the grounds of the church. Nice morning tea at Mulberry cafe then more exploring around town. Church Gallery or Jellycats was a gorgeous shop with the most amazing collection of cards as well as momentos, clothes, bags, socks, stuffed toys and a cafe!! From here we went to the pub for a beer and fish and chips in the garden for lunch.
    The walk home was a lot less eventful as we walked back through town and along the assigned bitumen path back to the railway station. We were hot and tired so rest time along with more laundry as excited to have a washing machine!! Gin and tonics called so back out onto the station we went. It was lovely outside as there was a breeze...good for the laundry too!!    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 34 Ribblehead viaduct

    June 26, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Woke to cloud and a cooler day. Some rain overnight. Breakfast listening to the train announcements and watching a few trains go by.
    Coffee in the market place in Kirkby Stephen...only instant at the house, then we drove to Ribblehead to see the huge viaduct and it didn't disappoint!
    The sun was out and jackets off as we parked and walked towards the viaduct. Our plan was to see a train go over in both directions! We succeeded. There are 24 arches on this bridge and they are enormous. It was great wandering around and under the viaduct as well as seeing it from both sides. There were so many vantage points to take photos so I headed up the hill following a walking track until I was in line with the tracks but further away from the viaduct. Lots of fun with many others all vying for the best photo!!
    With 3 trains photographed and the sun blazing we went back to the car. Lunch was well earned at Kirkby Lonsdale in a cute pub called The Snooty Fox. Average food sadly. We enjoyed a look around the town, a shop for groceries and headed home.
    With the sun still shining, we sat on the platform, waved to the train driver, drank our gin and tonics and Chris went and spoke to the person in the signal box. Janet picked some more flowers to go above the fireplace.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler
    2

    Day 35 Brough, Appleby and Nateby

    June 27, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    A cold start to the day and rain overnight. After breakfast we headed out in search of our morning coffee to Brough, about 10mins away...oops, nothing open or happening there so a quick google and off to Appleby...fingers crossed and we were in luck. With puffer jackets back on and the wind blowing we decided to sit inside for our coffee. The trainline we are staying on goes through Appleby so we wandered around the town and up to the railway. This one was busier than ours, the ticket office was open as was the cafe and shop. Same bridge over the tracks but no viaduct!!
    With the rain coming and going we decided walking to Pogdill viaduct wouldn't be sensible so headed to Nateby, 5mins from home for lunch at the Black Bull that we kept hearing and reading about! It is a small town with a mechanic and one pump, many houses and a pub. Yummy lunch and beer. The guiness pie and mash was presented so well and apparently tasted even better!! Behind the pub was the beer garden and beyond the most amazing views of the dales...and a howling gale. Didn't stop me from taking more photos!
    Home to rest, pack and watch the rain! Then the sun came out for our gin and tonics on the station for the last time. More photos and then a rainbow appeared!    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler
    1

    Day 36 Kirby Stephen to Bristol

    June 28, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Freezing cold and raining this morning in the Dales.
    Car packed and we headed for coffee before our 4.5hr drive, but alas, 745am is too early for the bakery. So we hit the M6 and went south stopping at the one of the service centres for a coffee and something to eat. 70 mi/h makes the distance go quickly but a very boring drive. Lots of traffic but moving, and roadworks in sections which slowed us down. Also, rain on and off for the first part of the drive.
    Aerospace museum in Bristol was first stop. Peter and Chris went in, while Janet and I drove to our accommodation, 458 Gloucester Rd. Yummy lunch across the road followed by a wander up and down the street. Lots of cafes, pubs and barbers! It has warmed up and the sun is out in Bristol.
    The Royal Oak pub for dinner out in the beer garden with the locals.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 37 Bristol

    June 29, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    After an amazing sleep and breakfast, we caught an uber to the Cascade Steps on the River Avon in the heart of Bristol.
    Coffee and pastry in the town centre before meeting up with Hannah, Chris's niece and her partner Rob.
    We caught a water taxi to the SS Great Britain exhibition. It was lovely on the river. Rows of colourful houses on hillside and more modern buildings on the water. Great cycling and walking paths all around. The exhibition was amazing and talked the ship, what it did and how its purpose changed over time. SS Great Britain was built around 1850. The Brunell museum was on the same site as he was the designer of this ship.
    Lunch was at Zero degrees brewery with a great view over the rooftops of Bristol.
    Then we did a 2hr walking tour. Lots of history as well as lots of artwork that is on walls throughout Bristol, in particular Bansky.
    With exhaustion setting in, we caught the 44 bus to Clifton, a beautiful area with all the houses in row and pretty balcony's with planter boxes. A short walk took us to Brunell's suspension bridge over the Avon Gorge. It was very impressive. Gin and tonics called at the Avon Gorge Hotel. We sat outside with breathtaking views of the countryside.
    Said our good byes and caught an uber back to our apartment via the pub for dinner. Absolutely exhausted, we crawled home.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 38 Bristol to London

    June 30, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Cloudy day but not cold as we packed for London. Nice coffee and pastry down the road.
    2.5hr drive to Wimbledon...traffic flowed, lots of roadwork, coffee stop at Reading, phone call to our host as we couldn't find the place and violá, here we are in South Wimbledon. The apartment is lovely and on the ground floor for the first time.
    After a well earned late lunch, Peter and Chris returned the car to Gatwick airport while Janet and I shopped, washed and spoke to Jan Cook about tomorrow. Gin and tonics were enjoyed and well deserved in the evening.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 39 London

    July 1, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Nice slow start today. After our coffee up the road we walked to South Wimbledon underground on the Northern line, about 7mins away. Train to Stockwell, changed to Victoria line and got off at Green Park 35 mins later. With half an hour to spare and the sun trying to come out, we walked to Buckingham Palace and saw the end of the Changing of the Guards. Back to Green Park station to meet Jan Cook. We walked along Piccadilly Road to Browns and St Georges Hotels for high tea in the Drawing Room. It was very old worldly and English but gorgeous. With a glass of Moet in hand, the photos started and then the sandwiches came. This was followed by warm fresh scones, strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream. A variety of teas were enjoyed with the sweet treats. And we got a doggy bag!!
    After lunch we walked around Mayfair checking out the designer label shops and marvelled at the Ralph Lauren shop decked out for Wimbledon.
    And to top off the day, we opened the parcel from Fred Stolle to find we had 2 tickets for court 1 on Wednesday and 6 day ground passes for any day!!! Saturday maybe?? Then we got the confirmation for our tickets tomorrow only to find out we have 2 tickets for centre courts (unbelievable) and 3 ground passes...a dream come true. Jan is coming too as tomorrows tickets come via her son in law and his colleague. Looking forward to tomorrow at Wimbledon as well as strawberries and cream.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 40 Wimbledon and Centre court

    July 2, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Breakfast and we went to the station to meet Jan via coffee and a pastry of course!!
    Caught an uber to Wimbledon and got dropped off on Marrayat Rd. Interesting driving through Wimbledon village and seeing the decorations, the number of people in the cafes as well as walking to Wimbledon. Lots of flowers in the Wimbledon colours, both up lamp posts and in planter boxes.
    Picked up our tickets with great excitement. Thrilled to have 'real' tickets not digital. 10am and we went in through the members gate so no queuing!!
    Straight to court 12 to watch Alex deMinaur play James Duckworth. Great seats behind the umpire. Moorby's were watching from Boorowa as the rain delays came and went. Started at 11am and didn't finish until after 4pm. Lots of fun watching this match with photos from home coming in showing the yellow tshirts or when we talked!!
    We were starving by this time and we had 2 tickets to centre court to share around. Pizzas were enjoyed by all.
    Peter and I went into Centre court and watched the end of the Novak Djokovic v Alex Vukic. We were in the members area with great seats but did feel very undressed!! Chris and Janet next to watch Jack Draper then Jan had her turn sitting and watching on centre court. In between all of this we all had strawberries and cream. Jan and Janet were interviewed by the BBC about the experience! Peter and I tried a Pimms 'cos you do!' Chris took up residence on an outside court and watched Olivia Gadecki, and Australian girl struggle in her 1st round match.
    Rinky Hijakata came onto court about 740pm so we stayed to cheer him on.
    Jan came home with us for a sleepover!!    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 41 Wimbledon and court 1

    July 3, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Overcast, so packed better today with more warm clothes and raincoats. Breakfast and coffee down the road after dropping Jan at South Wimbledon station.
    Uber to Wimbledon and in through the Members entrance as today we had 2 tickets for Court 1 and our ground passes courtesy of Fred Stolle...very exciting and so lucky.
    Court 8 was the plan as Jordan Thompson was due to play at 11am. We got great seats behind the umpire before it got busy. Then it started drizzling so the covers went on all courts and our umbrellas went up...no play until 1145...and on and off came the covers. At one point they blew hot air under all the covers to keep away the moisture. During this time friends from home were watching and sending photos of us, umbrellas up, eating, talking and later cheering. Our yellow tshirts were all over the TV at home apparently. Even Janet's granddaughter sent us a video!! Thompson lost in 3 sets.
    Peter and Chris went to Court 1 during this match as Carlos Alcaraz was playing Alexei Vukic, an Aussie. He played well but Alcaraz was just too good. Next up was Emma Radacanu from Britain. Peter and Janet swapped places but this match was also lopsided and Radacanu won easily.
    Lots of purchases in the Wimbledon shop today...caps, hats, tshirts, towels and keyring!!    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 42 Greenwich

    July 4, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The sun was out when we woke up today! Brekky, out for a coffee then to South Wimbledon station for the first train heading to Greenwich. Changed at Bank for the DLR to Cutty Sark station. Took just under an hour. Could see the Cutty Sark from the train. Walked through Greenwich to the Maritime Museums. Lots of pubs and quirky shops.
    Met up with Anne and Phillip Parton as they were in London and free today. We went into the Maritime Museum which had free entry. Lots of history of the explorations by the British, portraits, models and artefacts. It is a huge building with many many exhibits for the maritime buffs.
    Lunch called at Greenwich tavern. The wind had died down and it was lovely outside except for the smokers. From here we went to the Royal Observatory to stand on the Prime Meridian. Janet and I went inside, looked around, and took photos with our feet east and west of the meridian!! Down the hill we went and into the Queens House. It is used as a gallery and a way of collecting and preserving paintings and photos etc. Beautiful gardens all round. With the sun still shining we walked back to the Thames for gin and tonics and beers. On the way to Greenwich Pier we saw the Cutty Sark. It represents the pinnacle of clipper ship design and was one of the fastest ships of its day. It became the dominant ship in bringing wool from Australia to England.
    We caught the ferry along the Thames to Embankment, then the Northern line train home. Yummy dinner up the road with 2 for 1 aperol spritzes!!!    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler
    1

    Day 43 Kew

    July 5, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    A nice slow and late start this morning as we watched the rain!
    Coffee then the train to Westminster for the Thames river cruise to Hampton court. Rained had stopped, kinda as we took photos of Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and London Eye. 32 carriages on the Eye to represent the 32 boroughs in London.
    We waited on Westminster pier but no boat arrived for our 12noon cruise!! On enquiry, we found we had the wrong embarking place...oops, read the invoice wrong!!! However we were offered a trip to Kew later so we headed for lunch. Yummy lunch outside behind the Eye as the rain and wind had stopped. 230pm back at the pier and away we went up the river which was good as we had been the other way yesterday. Under bridges and along the Thames past Chelsea, Putney, Battersea Power Station and to Kew Pier 1.5hrs later. We had a brief walk around and enjoyed an ice cream before heading back to London. Raining again so we headed home to watch Emm Radacanu win in 2 sets against Maria Sakkari.
    Planning our unexpected day at Wimbledon for tomorrow.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 44 Wimbledon

    July 6, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    Woke to find it had rained all night. With umbrellas, ponchos, puffer jackets and some food packed, we headed to Wimbledon. Fred Stolle gave us 6 ground passes so we had 4 unexpected tickets.
    Ct 3 for Alex deMinaur only to hear that he had won due to a walkover!! And then the rain came...we sat and we sat and it rained...finally play started with another mens 3rd round match...20mins and it rained again...1 set all...4pm so we left and went to ct 8 to watch Matt Ebden and Rohan Bopanna play doubles. Great to watch as this court is up close and personal. 5pm and it rained and hailed for 15mins!!! Then the sun came out for the rest of the evening. Sadly Matt and Rohan lost in 2 sets.
    Coffee called and a chance to stand in the sun to warm up and dry off. 3 of us had the signature cappuccino watching junior girls. With the sun still out we went to the South Village to watch Novak and Alexei Popyrin play on the big screen. Pizza and gin and tonics helped us to cheer on Alexei.
    Home to warm up and see Alexei lose in 4 hard fought sets.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler

    Day 45 Abbey Rd and Royal Albert Hall

    July 7, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Rain and more rain, coming and going but not cold.
    Slow morning at home which was nice. After lunch we caught the train to Abbey road which is near St John's Wood station and Lords cricket ground.
    Just as we got off the train it poured again...at the station was a white board with easy directions to Abbey Road so off we went. Lots of people at 'the crossing' which must really annoy the locals!! Everyone was very happy and and took turns with photos including taking photos for each other. It did help that the rain had stopped! Afternoon tea called so we walked to the High St via Lords cricket ground. Not allowed in as they were setting up for the West Indies match. Found a cafe for a coffee and a chance to dry off. Lovely parkland in this area and pretty planter boxes on the shop and apartment windows.
    Got off at South Kensington station and walked towards Royal Albert Hall. As we had an hour and the sun was out, we continued to Kensington Gardens. Peter and Chris sat in the sun while Janet and I walked to the Peter Pan statue via the Albert Memorial, stopping to take photos of the squirrels!
    Yummy dinner at Verdi, part of the Royal Albert Hall. Amazing concert, Franz Zimmer v John Williams...incredible orchestra and choir, great lighting, lasers and pyrotechnics. The conductor was MC too and did a fantastic job. All music from films over the years starting with the Star Wars theme just like in Boston with Boston Pops. Royal Albert Hall is huge and beautiful. It was nice to be able to walk around and take photos before the concert. Wonderful way to spend our last night away.    Read more

  • Elizabeth CameronFrance and England 2024Traveler
    1

    Day 46 Heathrow, Singapore and home

    July 8, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Woke to the sun shining!
    No food left in the apartment so after a slow and late start, we went up the road for breakfast and coffee. Nice leisurely buffet. Home to finish packing. 1130am and Janet declares we have gin and tonic still in the fridge. So we made the most of the sun, enjoyed our gin and tonics and admired the poppies growing out of the pavement...flowers being a major theme on this trip.
    Lots of roadwork on the way to the airport but we had lots of time. Easy self check in for boarding passes but the machines for bag drop were not happy! Security done, 4 seats found...waiting waiting waiting...gotta love free wifi. Landed 520am, nice being first plane, home by 645am, Pierre's by 715am!!
    And for all the 'Find Penguin' followers, see the first 3 photos....    Read more

    Trip end
    July 10, 2024
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