Six o'clock start. Breakfast included a Slovak salad with meat - like a delicious coleslaw. Few photos before leaving for the station. Arrived just before 7:15 and only had 10 minutes to print the tickets, there was quite a queue but three machines available, and then had to reach platform 3. Did it with about four minutes to spare - phew! Really, not enough time spent with good friends in Peterborough.
Arrived at Kings Cross St Pancras at 8:30. Seemed like a very fast train ride. Back to the hotel before nine. The missus headed off to the Courtauld Gallery and then the Tate Modern whilst The Boy and I visited the Natural History Museum. We spent four and a half hours there and much of the time it was pouring with rain outside. Good day to be inside. After about two hours of lugging my bag around I noticed that there was a cloakroom but it was too late to bother with by then. The Boy loved the interactive displays which were well constructed to capture the attention of kids. We even went to the Investigate Room and were the only ones there. Especially impressive were the dinosaurs, mammals, giant sequoia, birds, volcanoes and Kobe earthquake displays. Well worth the visit.
Monument was our next stop - all 311 steps to the top. Great view but cold and windy. What an amazing structure. Had to meet the missus at 4pm at St Paul's Cathedral but I headed in the direction of the Tower of London by mistake. Realised my mistake and also realised how far apart the buildings were - a long way. Didn't seem that far on the bus. Got there in time, on foot, and the bells were chiming the hour when the missus came into view. As we approached the front door the guy in front of us was told that, "It's three second past four and St Paul's is closed." Bugger. Ventured back to the hotel.
The Boy wanted a steak and ale pie and I was keen on a lunchtime, 12-5, special. First pub told me that the cook had gone out and wouldn't be back until after 5pm therefore my order would be invalid. It didn't matter that I explained how stupid it was that I was unable to order a meal before 5pm and have it served after 5pm but at the special price. The staff member just didn't get it. Dropped our stuff off and went round the corner to the Fitzrovia - tried the same tactic and was informed that the deal finished at five. "Yes, it's bang on five," I said. But the guy's system was telling him that it was one minute past five and it wasn't possible to even place the order. What is it with this country and being unbending towards rules? Watched the news whilst having dinner. Plebgate and floods were the top stories. Expecting gusts of up to 60mph tomorrow.
Later in the evening the missus and I did some souvenir shopping at Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square before having coffee and hot chocolate, both of poor quality, at Caffe Nero. Visited a few department stores before returning to the hotel.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
Sunday, December 09, 2012
2012 Holiday To London-NYC-Niagara - Day Eight
Early brekkie - even Mr Rees noticed. Washing day too - 4kg for £5. Tube from Euston Square to Liverpool Street Station. Printed my pre-paid train tickets and killed a bit of time playing games with the camera with The Boy. We'd take a photo and then zoom in on the picture and the other person had to guess what had been photographed. Modern game of I-spy, I guess.
When it came time to board the train I was unable to locate one of the tickets. Asked at the info desk if it was possible to reprint and she said I'd have to ask at the ticketing office which was very busy and I only had five or six minutes until our train departed. Panic setting in at this stage. Found the ticket, in my wallet with the Cambridge and Peterborough tickets, after some frantic searching. Yikes!
Train ride was pleasant - so surprising to be out in the countryside so quickly. It gave The Boy and I time to catch up on our diaries. Cambridge railway station is situated quite a walk from the town centre. Our bags were feeling heavy and the missus was getting upset and not enjoying herself. Once we reached the markets outside St Mary's Church I found out from the tourist information the whereabouts of the lockers - at the cycle shop, of course. From that point we had a feeling of freedom.
Sat down for lunch consisting of a Cornish pasty, German sausage and some veggie-filled bread. It promptly started to rain. And it rained for the rest of the day (and into the night). So we visited the colleges, those that were open to the public without an entrance fee, and walked around the canal.
The town buildings are beautiful. Even in the rain. We wanted to see the Bridge of Sighs but it was only visible by punting. Spoke to one of the locals who was involved in the punting business who informed me that the university students are not allowed to work and he believes this is so they can concentrate on their studies. I had opened the conversation enquiring if he was a student.
Really enjoyed our few hours in Cambridge and would liked to have had more time there. Caught the 1500 train to Peterborough which arrived 50 minutes later. Martin came to pick us up 10 minutes later. He hasn't changed much - bit fatter (like me). His boys speak with very nice English accents. Finally got to meet Veronika, his wife. We ate and talked about our time in London together in '94 and life in general until 10:30. Veronika had spent a great amount of time preparing a traditional Slovak rice meal but was heartbroken that the rice turned out sticky - just the way we like it. Great catch-up. Ordered train tickets to Kings Cross Station before heading to bed.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
When it came time to board the train I was unable to locate one of the tickets. Asked at the info desk if it was possible to reprint and she said I'd have to ask at the ticketing office which was very busy and I only had five or six minutes until our train departed. Panic setting in at this stage. Found the ticket, in my wallet with the Cambridge and Peterborough tickets, after some frantic searching. Yikes!
Train ride was pleasant - so surprising to be out in the countryside so quickly. It gave The Boy and I time to catch up on our diaries. Cambridge railway station is situated quite a walk from the town centre. Our bags were feeling heavy and the missus was getting upset and not enjoying herself. Once we reached the markets outside St Mary's Church I found out from the tourist information the whereabouts of the lockers - at the cycle shop, of course. From that point we had a feeling of freedom.
Sat down for lunch consisting of a Cornish pasty, German sausage and some veggie-filled bread. It promptly started to rain. And it rained for the rest of the day (and into the night). So we visited the colleges, those that were open to the public without an entrance fee, and walked around the canal.
The town buildings are beautiful. Even in the rain. We wanted to see the Bridge of Sighs but it was only visible by punting. Spoke to one of the locals who was involved in the punting business who informed me that the university students are not allowed to work and he believes this is so they can concentrate on their studies. I had opened the conversation enquiring if he was a student.
Really enjoyed our few hours in Cambridge and would liked to have had more time there. Caught the 1500 train to Peterborough which arrived 50 minutes later. Martin came to pick us up 10 minutes later. He hasn't changed much - bit fatter (like me). His boys speak with very nice English accents. Finally got to meet Veronika, his wife. We ate and talked about our time in London together in '94 and life in general until 10:30. Veronika had spent a great amount of time preparing a traditional Slovak rice meal but was heartbroken that the rice turned out sticky - just the way we like it. Great catch-up. Ordered train tickets to Kings Cross Station before heading to bed.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
Saturday, December 08, 2012
2012 Holiday To London-NYC-Niagara - Day Seven
Brekkie. Grabbed a 390 bus to Notting Hill Gate to visit the Portobello Market on Portobello Road. Arrived at 10am, after getting slightly lost and having to ask for directions, and it was already crowded. Lots of wondrous jewellery, silverware, shirts, toys and bric-a-brac. Couple of hours of pushing through the crowds and searching for stuff. Some quality items and bargains to be had. Bought some churros and spicy beef stew (yum) for lunch. Quite delicious. When it was time to go we headed out so that The Boy could buy a compass that he'd seen and wanted as a souvenir.
Caught another 390 and made very good time down Oxford Street as there were only buses and taxis using it. So good that the bus driver had to stop for a few minutes as he was ahead of schedule. Arrived at the hotel in plenty of time to change for the match at West Ham.
Walked to Goodge Street Station but it was closed for engineering works. Had to get to Euston Square Station instead which, thankfully, wasn't too far away. Quite a few Hammers fans on board and a few from Sunderland. Took a bit of working out whereabouts to enter the ground at Upton Park - the streets were lined with food and t-shirt vendors. And some God botherers. No bottles with caps allowed within the stadium.
Our seats were near the top of the stand and the view was great. To my left were some Bosnians, maybe, to our right were some locals (who weren't that interested in striking up a conversation despite a few efforts), behind us some gobbing-off locals who provided running commentary (complete with expletives) and next to them a group of Chinese who made silly sounds for the whole match and didn't seem to know what the rules are. Sunderland scored after nine minutes, after a poor defensive pass, and held the lead for 83 minutes against an attacking outfit who scored the equaliser in about the second minute of time added on. Phew! The crowd got into it and they had been subdued for much of the match. The Boy had to go to the loo at half time and the queue was huge. Didn't take long though.
Visited the stadium store after the match as The Boy wanted a Hammers watch. The queue was longer than for the toilets! Grabbed a cheap burger, £1 instead of £3.50, on the way back to the tube station. The queue to enter the station was about 300m long even some 45 minutes after the match had finished. No trouble to get on the tube though. A policewoman offered to take our photo at the station - very nice of her. Changed trains at West Ham which offered another photo opportunity.
Following a late meal at Costa we took a long walk around Bloomsbury. Still busy and some of the buildings looked beautiful at night. Ended up in Soho and did some souvenir hunting. The realisation hit us that we were so close to Oxford Street from our hotel that walking wouldn't have been a problem. Lovely to walk around at night. Topped it off when a truck driver abuse a Merc driver for not knowing how to drive and blocked the road. The truckie showed him what to do to unblock the road - hilarious. Back at the hotel I booked train tickets to Cambridge and then onto Peterborough.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
Caught another 390 and made very good time down Oxford Street as there were only buses and taxis using it. So good that the bus driver had to stop for a few minutes as he was ahead of schedule. Arrived at the hotel in plenty of time to change for the match at West Ham.
Walked to Goodge Street Station but it was closed for engineering works. Had to get to Euston Square Station instead which, thankfully, wasn't too far away. Quite a few Hammers fans on board and a few from Sunderland. Took a bit of working out whereabouts to enter the ground at Upton Park - the streets were lined with food and t-shirt vendors. And some God botherers. No bottles with caps allowed within the stadium.
Our seats were near the top of the stand and the view was great. To my left were some Bosnians, maybe, to our right were some locals (who weren't that interested in striking up a conversation despite a few efforts), behind us some gobbing-off locals who provided running commentary (complete with expletives) and next to them a group of Chinese who made silly sounds for the whole match and didn't seem to know what the rules are. Sunderland scored after nine minutes, after a poor defensive pass, and held the lead for 83 minutes against an attacking outfit who scored the equaliser in about the second minute of time added on. Phew! The crowd got into it and they had been subdued for much of the match. The Boy had to go to the loo at half time and the queue was huge. Didn't take long though.
Visited the stadium store after the match as The Boy wanted a Hammers watch. The queue was longer than for the toilets! Grabbed a cheap burger, £1 instead of £3.50, on the way back to the tube station. The queue to enter the station was about 300m long even some 45 minutes after the match had finished. No trouble to get on the tube though. A policewoman offered to take our photo at the station - very nice of her. Changed trains at West Ham which offered another photo opportunity.
Following a late meal at Costa we took a long walk around Bloomsbury. Still busy and some of the buildings looked beautiful at night. Ended up in Soho and did some souvenir hunting. The realisation hit us that we were so close to Oxford Street from our hotel that walking wouldn't have been a problem. Lovely to walk around at night. Topped it off when a truck driver abuse a Merc driver for not knowing how to drive and blocked the road. The truckie showed him what to do to unblock the road - hilarious. Back at the hotel I booked train tickets to Cambridge and then onto Peterborough.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
2012 Holiday To London-NYC-Niagara - Day Six
Brekkie. Booked tickets for the London Eye and a Thames River cruise. The Boy and I also grabbed tickets for the London Dungeon.
Got a quick trip down to Bank station so that we could walk across the bridge. Wandered about and the missus bought a calendar. Didn't have time for the Eye prior to our cruise so had some time to kill. There was an interesting Michael Jackson impersonator out the front of the Jubilee Gardens. The cruise was very informative and a wee bit cold. The London Eye offered fantastic views of the city, especially Westminster.
The missus wanted to have lunch in Soho, sushi, and then go shopping. Pity that she had very little idea of where the shop was located and we walked for absolutely ages with tempers frayed. Didn't end up buying much anyway when we finally found the shops. The Boy and I waited for a long time, too long, after lunch for a bus which, when we eventually got on, moved too slowly so we had to catch the tube to Bank for the dungeon. Quite confusing exiting Bank, finally found the river, crossed London Bridge, got lost again (because the street name wasn't the same as on the map) and asked for directions from a guy whose wife is Australian. Embarrassingly we could see our destination from where we were standing.
The London Dungeon is a fantastic tourist attraction. Great stories, props, actors, rides and gore. Disgusting in fact. We really enjoyed our hour and a half there. Even the toilets were properly themed. Unfortunately there wasn't anything suitable to purchase in the gift shop - too much gore to find a place in our house.
The London Bridge underground station was quite difficult to locate so some extra walking was included. Got home about 6:45 so went our for some dinner around seven o'clock. The shop I wanted to purchase from, Eat, was closed so we bought a takeaway pizza instead. After dinner the missus and I went for a walk. There was light rain and so umbrellas got their first usage. Being a Friday night the pubs were very busy - so busy that all of the available standing room under the awnings was taken. Quite a sight. Surroundings were very pleasant in the rain.
Spoke to Martin about visiting this weekend and then spoke to my Auntie for an hour until very late in the evening. Thought about catching a train and meeting her in Chester but that was going to be difficult to add to the itinerary.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
Got a quick trip down to Bank station so that we could walk across the bridge. Wandered about and the missus bought a calendar. Didn't have time for the Eye prior to our cruise so had some time to kill. There was an interesting Michael Jackson impersonator out the front of the Jubilee Gardens. The cruise was very informative and a wee bit cold. The London Eye offered fantastic views of the city, especially Westminster.
The missus wanted to have lunch in Soho, sushi, and then go shopping. Pity that she had very little idea of where the shop was located and we walked for absolutely ages with tempers frayed. Didn't end up buying much anyway when we finally found the shops. The Boy and I waited for a long time, too long, after lunch for a bus which, when we eventually got on, moved too slowly so we had to catch the tube to Bank for the dungeon. Quite confusing exiting Bank, finally found the river, crossed London Bridge, got lost again (because the street name wasn't the same as on the map) and asked for directions from a guy whose wife is Australian. Embarrassingly we could see our destination from where we were standing.
The London Dungeon is a fantastic tourist attraction. Great stories, props, actors, rides and gore. Disgusting in fact. We really enjoyed our hour and a half there. Even the toilets were properly themed. Unfortunately there wasn't anything suitable to purchase in the gift shop - too much gore to find a place in our house.
The London Bridge underground station was quite difficult to locate so some extra walking was included. Got home about 6:45 so went our for some dinner around seven o'clock. The shop I wanted to purchase from, Eat, was closed so we bought a takeaway pizza instead. After dinner the missus and I went for a walk. There was light rain and so umbrellas got their first usage. Being a Friday night the pubs were very busy - so busy that all of the available standing room under the awnings was taken. Quite a sight. Surroundings were very pleasant in the rain.
Spoke to Martin about visiting this weekend and then spoke to my Auntie for an hour until very late in the evening. Thought about catching a train and meeting her in Chester but that was going to be difficult to add to the itinerary.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
2012 Holiday To London-NYC-Niagara - Day Five
Brekkie again - I wake up around the right time so no jet lag to speak of. Wrote my diary beforehand. Somebody stole our regular table - never mind. Caught a No. 10 to Hyde Park Corner. Walked past Wellington Arch down Constitution Hill out the front of Buckingham Palace. Jason was sick so couldn't join us. We were nearly an hour before the Changing the Guard was due to take place but were still three deep in front of the palace. The missus decided to stand on the Queen Victoria Memorial statue. Actually, she had the best view but a flat camera battery so had to make do with her phone that doesn't have a zoom. The ceremony wasn't that great. I didn't really see what was so fascinating about it.
Following that I went to collect my tickets for the Buckingham Palace Day Out tour. Whilst I waited the 20 minutes or so the missus and The Boy went off for lunch and ended up at, you guessed it, Pret A Manger. Glad we had mobile phones or I would never have found her with the directions that she provided - direction sense in my wife is not well defined. At lunch a policewoman sat next to me, after looking for a table for some time, and so I had to ask, "Don't you have the power to ask people to move on?" She said that it was only if they were being a nuisance.
First port of call after lunch was the Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomist exhibition in the Queen's Gallery. Marvellous, original pieces of work. Not actually owned by the Queen though. Then onto the Royal Mews - stage coaches and stables. Not that exciting but still some amazing stuff on display. Then - the big one - Buckingham Palace State Rooms. By comparison, Henry VIII over at Hampton Court Palace, was poor. The palace interior is absolutely splendid. Exquisite. Can't imagine how much money was spent fitting it out, or the upkeep, but it is wondrous.The Grand Ballroom was 14m H x 16m W x37m L and could contain 2000 guests. Made me feel like dancing and, in fact, I did a very quick jig with the missus. When the tour finished we exited through the garden at the rear.
Caught a bus back to the hotel and the missus jumped off at Regent St to go shopping. Rang an English mate, Bully, to say that we could meet a bit earlier than planned. The Boy and I had dinner at the Fitzrovia pub - steak and ale pie for me and jacket potato for him. Ice creams from Tesco followed. The barmaid was confused when I placed the order as she thought it was only for one meal. Turns out that the pie comes with a side serving of either chips, mash or jacket potato.
Met Bully at Covent Garden and he was half an hour late. Whilst waiting there was a huge group of people dressed in white with deck chairs, etc, out the front of the tube station. Looked to be a bit mad but perhaps celebrating a wedding. Wandered around a bit before settling at Pret A Manger for a drink and some horrid crisps. Had a chin wag for the next two hours until it was too much for The Boy. He was dead tired.
One thing we did discuss was how it was funny that I was more comfortable using the tube than he was and will probably see more of London than he ever will.
During the night I had to get up and politely tell a large group of Spaniards to shut up. My Spanish must have been effective as they got the message.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
Following that I went to collect my tickets for the Buckingham Palace Day Out tour. Whilst I waited the 20 minutes or so the missus and The Boy went off for lunch and ended up at, you guessed it, Pret A Manger. Glad we had mobile phones or I would never have found her with the directions that she provided - direction sense in my wife is not well defined. At lunch a policewoman sat next to me, after looking for a table for some time, and so I had to ask, "Don't you have the power to ask people to move on?" She said that it was only if they were being a nuisance.
First port of call after lunch was the Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomist exhibition in the Queen's Gallery. Marvellous, original pieces of work. Not actually owned by the Queen though. Then onto the Royal Mews - stage coaches and stables. Not that exciting but still some amazing stuff on display. Then - the big one - Buckingham Palace State Rooms. By comparison, Henry VIII over at Hampton Court Palace, was poor. The palace interior is absolutely splendid. Exquisite. Can't imagine how much money was spent fitting it out, or the upkeep, but it is wondrous.The Grand Ballroom was 14m H x 16m W x37m L and could contain 2000 guests. Made me feel like dancing and, in fact, I did a very quick jig with the missus. When the tour finished we exited through the garden at the rear.
Caught a bus back to the hotel and the missus jumped off at Regent St to go shopping. Rang an English mate, Bully, to say that we could meet a bit earlier than planned. The Boy and I had dinner at the Fitzrovia pub - steak and ale pie for me and jacket potato for him. Ice creams from Tesco followed. The barmaid was confused when I placed the order as she thought it was only for one meal. Turns out that the pie comes with a side serving of either chips, mash or jacket potato.
Met Bully at Covent Garden and he was half an hour late. Whilst waiting there was a huge group of people dressed in white with deck chairs, etc, out the front of the tube station. Looked to be a bit mad but perhaps celebrating a wedding. Wandered around a bit before settling at Pret A Manger for a drink and some horrid crisps. Had a chin wag for the next two hours until it was too much for The Boy. He was dead tired.
One thing we did discuss was how it was funny that I was more comfortable using the tube than he was and will probably see more of London than he ever will.
During the night I had to get up and politely tell a large group of Spaniards to shut up. My Spanish must have been effective as they got the message.
Photo Album Vol I
Photo Album Vol II
Photo Album Vol III
Photo Album Vol IV (Final)
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
Rafael Benitez In Line For An Award
Can't say that Rafael Benitez has endeared himself to Chelsea's fans. Can't say that Rafael Benitez has endeared himself to Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, either. But he's just ripe for the picking when it comes to a meme.
World's Most Persistent Telemarketer?
Interesting encounter with a telemarketer last night.
The Boy answered the phone as I was doing the dishes. He knew that it was an Indian telemarketer by the delay he experienced in the call and handed the phone to me. I greeted him in Hindi with "Namaste."
"Mr Frugal Bastard?"
"Speaking."
"My name is Michael and I'm calling from Craftmatic Adjustable Beds (I think). You've been chosen for a free in-home demonstration."
"Why?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Why do you think I need one?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Why do you think I need an adjustable bed?"
"No, we're not giving you one."
"Stop wasting your time, my time and your money, Michael."
"I'm sorry?"
"Seeing as you're having such difficulty in hearing properly does this sound like the sound of a phone hanging up?". Click!
He rang back seconds later and said nothing.
He rang again. I belched loudly.
He rang again. I greeted him with, "City Morgue."
"Goodbye," was his response.
"Yes, goodbye."
He rang again and was greeted with, "Loony Bin."
"Goodbye," he said again.
"Yes, really goodbye this time. Bye Michael."
Give the man an award for being the world's most persistent telemarketer. At least for this week.
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Chelsea Memes
Chelsea played West Ham United overnight - great scoreline for Hammers fans. And Chelsea is well known for parking a bus, i.e. stacking the defence, in front of goal. So, what more can I say?
Match report here for the 3-1 win by the Hammers. Why don't we play a kids' game - spot the differences
Match report here for the 3-1 win by the Hammers. Why don't we play a kids' game - spot the differences
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