Day 8 - Buckingham Palace

Aug 31

Dad decided to take a break today and hang out at the hotel so the rest of us headed out to the Palace for a tour of the State Rooms. Again, no photos allowed inside. Saw someone snap a pic of a sign, before we even got inside the building; security had them delete it off their camera. Security to get inside was much like the airports - visual and x-ray check of all hand luggage, no liquids allowed. Biggest difference was that the security at the Palace were very polite and even smiled and chatted!

The State Rooms, each and every one, were pretty incredible. Learned that the royals do keep all the gifts they get and do put them somewhere on display, or to use, whenever possible. This info came over the audio guide when we were passing through a small room that seemed to be just for the purpose of displaying things. There was an Inuit carving (gift from Canada) on the table and the audio guide went on to give the example of the queen receiving a gift of a horse from the RCMP - which she rode for several years.

 

 

 

 

Backyard at the Palace. Could've had a cuppa tea here, but as the Queen wasn't about to join us (she was at her summer place - Windsor Castle), we decided to pass.

 

Lunch at Three Greyhounds on Greek Street; very cosy, friendly pub. Pub got it's name from the dogs once used to hunt hares in nearby SoHo when it was open ground. Had some more fried food. Gotta stop that.

 

 

To be honest, I didn't know what Covent Gardens was. I just remembered reading that it was worth a visit. Well, turns out its mostly shopping. Lots of shopping. I really don't like shopping. Wasn't a total loss though, I did get a new charm from Pandora (double decker bus). Didn't see any street performers, didn't visit the Royal Opera House.


 

 

Day 7 - Cotswolds

Aug 30

Took an all day coach tour out to the Cotswolds, a very scenic area of rolling hills, charming villages with thatched roofs, yellow limestone cottages, tea shops, and ancient inns. The tour wasn't quite as advertised.... Was supposed to be a group of 18-20 people max but we ended up with 52 in the group. Our guide was a quintessential Englishman who reminded me very much of Philip Till (CKNW).

 

 

Throughout the region, there are dry stone (oolitic limestone) walls.

 

 

First stop was a small town called Burford. Very picturesque with 16th century buildings lining the main street.

 

 

 

 

 

Visited the church and graveyard where the headstones are so old the inscriptions have mostly disappeared.

 

 

Second stop was a beautiful little town called Bibury where we visited "Arlington Row" a group of stone cottages dating back to the 16th century. Used by weavers for the town's wool industry.

 

 

 

 

Had a very nice lunch of fresh trout at the Swan Hotel then it was back on the bus to our next stop - Bourton-on-the-Water. Very cool old time buildings but we could have totally given this place a pass - way too touristy.

 

 

 

Stratford-on-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, was the final stop.

 

 

 

 

Visited Croft's Hall, built in 1613, it was the home of Shakespeare's eldest daughter, Susanna, and her husband, Dr. John Croft.

 

 

Had the BEST, juiciest hamburger we've had in a long time at a place called Byron's. They actually still cook their burgers to medium here.... Grilled dark on the outside, just a touch of pink on the inside - delicious!!!

 

Day 6 - Harrods

Aug 29

 

Weather wasn't looking too promising so Dad and Danny decided to take a break and hang out at the hotel today. Mom and I headed down to Harrods (about a 20 min walk) just to have a look ;) I saw the most awesome Missoni swimsuit cover up - would be perfect with my new suit. At €475 however, it wasn't looking quite so perfect anymore. Checked out the champagne bar but it wasn't open. What do you MEAN there's no champagne at 10:30 a.m.? Haha We wandered through several departments and just a few of the 7 floors. They have tons of clerks around - all dressed very sharply, holding their hands either in front or back, quick to smile at you and very attentive... Get a little too close to the merchandise though and suddenly they're your shadow "Would you like some help?". "Do you have any questions?" Sheesh - really felt like they were doing double duty as store security or something. Or maybe they were just really bored and hoping they finally had someone who might actually make a purchase?


 

Shopping in London is pretty fabulous though... Wish we had even a quarter of the selection this city has. People on the street - both men and women - are very well dressed. Us tourists, not so much, lol.

 

 

Weather continues to be a lot like Vancouver, fabulous when the sun's out but usually pretty gray.

 

Day 5 - Westminster Abbey

Aug 28

Westminster Abbey is SO incredible - hard to find the words to give it justice. Unfortunately, no inside photos allowed. The inside is filled with beautiful mosaics, marble and stonework. Walking through the halls and rooms where so many famous historical figures from the last thousand years of British history are buried or memorialized is just surreal.

 

 

 

 

After visiting the Abbey, walked over Westminster Bridge and down the south shore of the Thames - across from the Parliament Buildings - pretty impressive.

 

 

 

 

Day 4 - Tower of London

Aug 27

Took the Hop-on bus out to the Tower of London. What an incredible experience that place is! We weren't allowed to take pics of the Crown Jewels (a collection of 23,578 jewels which have been on display at the Tower since the 17th century) but WOW! Talk about jaw droppingly beautiful!

 

 

 

London Bridge from inside the Tower

 

Memorial marking the general spot where Anne Boleyn and others lost their heads.

 





Later, went to a pub down the street from our hotel called the Zetland Arms. Sign on the building said it was once owned by Charlie Chaplin's brother. Stayed for a few beer and ended up ordering munchies to make a meal of it. Pubs here are very accommodating to smokers. You can take your drink outside with you, there are usually either a couple of small chairs with a table or ledges to put your drink on. Some even have heaters overhead that you can turn on.

 

 

 

Day 3 - Hop on Hop off Bus

Aug 26

Took the bus tour around town. Not great for getting photos but gave us a quick look at a lot of the sights. So much to see, our heads were just swinging back and forth!

 

 

London Tower

 

Piccadilly Square? Can't remember now...

 

London Eye

 

The Shard - tallest completed building in Europe (as at July 2012) at 1016 feet high

 

30 St Mary Axe - informally known as the Gherkin

 

 

Fortnum and Mason department store

 

I look at this pic and can't help thinking of the Abbey Road album cover, hahaha

 

Had dinner at a nearby pub - Hereford Arms

 

Got a laugh out of the video game :)

 

Former banker ;)