Return London

Great morning with sun out saw me hop on the river cruise in Bath. A leisurely cruise between the 2 weirs from Bath to Bathampton Mill. Pretty countryside and some more history learned including the Bathampton Toll Bridge which was built privately and is still owned privately and generates a nice sum for the owners at 80 pence a car with 4000 crossing daily!

Bathampton Mill weir and toll bridge

After another stroll around town it was back on the train to Paddington. Caught up with Fi there and we went to a pop up bar with her work crew and also joined by Tezza and Steph as well.

Hours wound past and late in evening we made our way back via Paddinton station and decided on Uber home.

Worse for wear (Me not the bear)

So up this morning with some tidying up to do and then I am checking into Hotel in London proper fo 2 days with Fi. Going to a show tonight with Leah and then spending a day in Shoreditch area.

Will keep you posted when I can.

Bath for a couple of days

I mean I did not need a bath, rather in Bath to check it out.

Easy trip from London on train and the town is lovely. Architecture and buildings in the local limestone is wonderful.

True Georgeon

In any case I did the hop on hop off bus around and saw the sights. Naturally had to visit the Roman Baths which do not look inviting in their natural green state.

Your choice?

In any case great day and then I retired to the Royal Hotel directly across road from train station. Lovely rooms, and of some architectural importance designed by Brunel.

Went to the Huntsman Inn for dinner and joined a Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk. Very much fun for an hour and a half around the town. Notihng historical but some hysterical.

Up today for morning around before heading off to London.

Bank Holiday weekend

Well the summer is over and normal weather with clouds and showers. We managed a BBQ on Saturday with weather holding enough for the afternoon.

Friends Sarah and Romano joined us and we had lamb and chicken skewers, whilst the girls did fantastic dips and salads in mid-east theme. We partied on until around midnight.

Up Sunday to a dreary day but headed to Queens Park for Sunday roast. Caught up with the Hughes clan including Tezza and Steph, the parents from Australia.

Moo and Shane

Finished up there and us 3 made our way back home.

Up today

Leisurely times

Quietish week, with the interlopers (Mums) gone, but managed a few things around. Did the lawn just to show Peter I can do it nearly as good as him!

Ashburnam Garden

Cooked a Piri Piri Sea Bass dinner for the girls one night which went down a treat and the fish was superb from Prykes Fish Monger. After that just been around so that cleaner could come and awaiting grocery order today.

In my travels I went past the Cutty Sark Hotel again and it is nice although only circa 1795! Almost a babe!

Cutty Sark Hotel near Union Wharf

Did note something new which was ropes tours of the actual Carty Sark at Greenwich! Note the person climbing out on the bowsprit!

Cutty Sark

Looked exciting but unsure of cost although I doubt Fi would ever be interested.

Long weekend coming up and after that schools start back so a better time to see things. We are planning a BBQ on Saturday and maybe go to Notting Hill carnival on the Monday.

Will post again when I can.

Out and about

After a slow start Fi, Leann and I decided we needed to get out so off we trecked down the river for a leisurely stroll.

Past Cutty Sark (boat) we ambled east past the Trafalgar Hotel, then the Yacht Hotel before we came to the Trinity Hospital which is now sheltered accomodation. Continuing east we passed the Cutty Sark Hotel before resting at the Pelton Arms pub. Hmmm notice my bearings seem to involve hotels!

Trinity Hospital Greenwich circa 1613

In any case a quick brew there saw us return along the river and area was heaving as sun had come out for the afternoon.

Outlook from Cutty Sark Hotel over the O2

We stopped at the Gypsy Moth Hotel for one refresher and decide the crowds there were too much so continued our way back to Davys Wine Bar where we settled on an early dinner.

Just a lovely early evening there before heading home pleased we had walked about 6 km and had a fairly early evening with the girls having to go to work in morning.

All quiet here and this week will be calm at this stage.

Catch up time and Brighton

Early rise on Wednesday saw Mum and I off to Gatwick for her trip home.

Last night in London for Mum

After successfully embarking her on way I made my way back to Greenwich and spent a couple of quiet days washing bedding etc after all the ladies had left.

Saturday we were off to Brighton to see Steph and Joe, so more sausage rolls were made.

The butchers at Drings subbed me the mince this time as long as I gave them some! I made a big batch and dutifully supplied them with 2 dozen! Went off a treat!

So armed with sausage rolls, Fi's coleslaw and a few refreshments we trained the hour to Brighton.

The view from Steph and Joe's

A great day was had with friends and we headed back to London late on the choo choo.

Couple of wind down drinks at home and then all off to bed. Up today and we are all a tad quiet. Will see what day holds.

Trafalgar square and National Gallery

Mum's last days so we needed some culture before her departure. Train and tubed it to Charring Cross to emerge under the spire of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

Nelson's Column

The square was not as packed as I have seen it although that seemed to change as the time rolled on. Mum looked at the street performers then we made our way into the National Gallery which sits on the edge of the square.

National Gallery with strange creature!

Inside was packed and dodging great swathes of tourists with their guides we managed to see a fair bit of the remarkable treasures on offer. Had to wait at times for large groups to finish in front of some of the more famous paintings.

Another Rembrandt

Once past the older religious paintings it was on to the masters and they are wonderful.

Caravaggio's Last supper

Through them and into the English paintings of Constable, Turner, Gainsborough and the like we  finished up and took the route back home where we were glad to put our feet up.

I slipped out to the Mordern Arms for a refresher and was home when the girls got back. Fairly quiet night after dinner sees mum and I up. She is packing for early departure tomorrow and I am off to shops to get fixings for dinner and othe supplies (wine).

Plan is for home cooked last meal and ealy rise.... Will see how that goes!

Farewell Kath and Shirley

And then there were 4. Last days with Kath and Shirley saw us in a more sombre mood. We had an obigatory drink at Davy's wine bar on the Sunday after a little last minute shopping.

Mum and Kath at Davy's

Monday saw Kath slaving over the oven making shortbread! Cannot stop the woman once her mind is set! After that we wandered down to Geenwich markets for another look around but it appears the ladies had bought everything on previous occasions.

Kath and Fi went to a restaurarant for a mother daughter catch up and then Kath had her hair done in preparation for the trip home.

St Alfeges church Greenwich

(Henry VIII and Elizabeth 1 were both christened here)

Home we had Turkish feast for last night then Kath and Shirley had their cab pick up at 8.30. Not too many tears then only Fi, Leann, mum and I left.

Up today for maybe a trip to town as the girls have gone to work, then preparation for mum leaving early Thursday.

Cheers

Cornwall, Devon, and car parks!

Well finally back after eventful travels. As advised our Wednesday travels were hampered by traffic, which did not improve over the 4 days. More of that later!

In any case we awoke at Tyacks Pub at Camborne on the Friday and after a friendly breakfast we headed off to Redruth for a look around Found it difficult to stop anywhere to explore and it is quite hilly so not condusive to the Mum's walking.

Our battles with the built in Mercedes Sat Nav (to be referred to as Bitchface from now on) continued as we asked for a place of interest nearby and it presented us with 'Discover Cornwall'. We dutifully followed her to a point in the middle of a forrest, through roads built for small donkeys! Nothing to see so that was Discover Cornwall!

Our next stop was Portreath which was a lovely beach although a bit windy on the day. We wanted to visit St Ives which we found and it was packed with holiday makers. Also not a great place for the Mum's as you need to be part goat, so we drove through the old town, a nightmare drive with narrow roads. The streets were full of people literally, and we had to push through in the car.

Picked out a smaller village on the map and headed off to St Just. Beautiful countryside and on our way we were presented with somewhere to stop and enjoy the vista over Penzance Bay to St Michaels Mount.

St Michaels Mount from the hillsides

On to St Just which presented as lovely village replete with a bakery that purported to be the oldest Cornish Pasty maker in the world! Naturally we all had a Cornish Pasty and a quick drink in the local.

St Just Church

Back on the road we followed our nose and were on way to Penzance. Through lovely countryside and the village of Trethewey where Leann's ancestors hailed from. We wanted to visit Minack theatre but it was not open to visitors as there was a performance on!

Off through Mousehole, which is really the cutest little place but if I complained about driving in St Ives, well Mousehole is even tighter. We were forced backwards at one point by a van coming the other way.  Unable to find anywhere to stop we continued on to Penzance and our digs at the Union Hotel for the night.

Again the friendliest welcome. The people are great. Just an ordinary pub from road but behind contains the 2nd oldest theatre in UK! It was here in the theatre that the first anouncement of Nelson's victory at Trafalgar was announced in 1805!

The theatre

The pub cntains much memorabilia of Nelson and the old theatre bills. Also has Nelson's death mask on the wall!

Nelson's death mask

We dined across the road at a lovely restaurant where Kath and Fi enjoed lovely local seafood of mussels solo for Kath and in a chowder for Fi, then fish. Sated we retired to our rooms for our travel to Salisbury the next day.

We had plenty of time in the day so we went back to Redruth to try and see the Carn Brea Castle and monument which is a wonderfu story in its own right. Please see Carn Brea. Well the only issue is there is no easy way to get there nor signs! Well I lie! After driving through more goat tracks we did find one tiny sign that pointed us up the hill. We could not go on as it turned to gravel so our photo was from afar!

Carn Brea monument

Again disappointed we headed off for what was to be a leisurlely drive to Salisbury stopping for lunch on way, hopefully to get there in time to see the Cathedral which closes at 5.00.

So much for that plan. A car park for most of the day with traffic banked for miles around ludicrous roundabouts and merging vehicles. On the day which included our morning to Redruth we travelled 180 miles in 9 hours of driving queued forever! We saw a lot of cars and the inside of the Mercedes and not much else. Stuck for hours rest stops were at a premium and obviously the same for all other travellers the toilets were queued as well!

Missed the cathedral as we finally arrived in Salisbury at 6.30 pm. Again checked into hotel and that first drink was a welcome needed thing!

Decided to book into an old pub for dinner.

Poultry Cross Salisbury

The Haunch of Venison is over 700 years old! The pub is tiny with a small snug up 3 steps and a restaurant on first floor.

The sign!

This is whole bar area!

Well naturally they served venison and I had the triple of loin, sausages and pulled venison. Washed down later with a Drambuie it almost blotted out the days events. 

So in order to get car back to London we left early and naturally the days travel was a breeze and we got back in plenty of time to drop off the ladies then the car.

Leann welcomed and prepared a sumptuous dinner and Shirly returned from the wedding and we had a few drinks into the evening.

The crew at home

Leann, Kath, Clare, Fi, Shirley and moi!

Off to bed late and we are slowly getting things done. Last few days were memorable for all wrong reasons but the people in Cornwall and Devon are lovely.

Until next time.

Cornwall travels

Up yesterday and finally on the road. The Mercedes hire is great and we moved along.

A few detours as we trained the sat nav girl! In any case we made it to our digs at Camborne. Great pub and super friendly.

Tyacks Cramborne

Just a quick post now as we head off for day. Will catch up soon.

Again the Kinky Boots!

As forecast on another groundhog day Fi and I took mum to a West End show. Kinky Boots again but it was what she wanted. I feel like I need to start wearing 6 inch stilettos after it but all is good.

Mum and I made our way close to the Adelphi Theatre and took up a spot at the Nell Gwynne pub next door, which again was where we waited for Fi last year!

Similalrly to all the artwork we saw yesterday the women seem to have problem keeping their tops on!

Pub Shingle

In any case Fi arrived after work and after a time we headed next door to the theatre where civilised people can take their wine into the theatre for the show.

Mum getting excited

Show was great although the cast was a bit different this time. In any case we had a ball and got into the mood as did the other theatre goers. Very uplifting and a marvellous spectacular for the sight and sound organs.

Afterwards we made our way home where we sat for a short time before bed.

Mum is up and gone to a hair appointment this morning, and I will be off later to pick up a hire car for our 3 day trip to Cornwall starting tomorrow.

Fi is now joining us so I will drive the 2 mums and Fi on th magical mystical tour of King Arthur's realm! Not sure what access I will have to post but will catch up when I can.

Deja Vu day at Wallace collection

With days remaining nice, but days with Mum running out we decided to get some culture. Although I have done it before (well last year) neither Leann nor mum had seen it.

A really great collection in Marylebone gifted to the nation from Sir Richard Wallace. It is believed to be the single greatest gift of art by anyone and inluded the actual London family home of Hertford House where the collection is housed.

Collected by his 3 predecessor the Maurquises of Hertford, it has half a dozen Rembrandts, Van Dyks, Titians, Gainsborough and the list goes on. Also an amazing collection of furnishings decorative bowls cameos and statues.

Part of the collection is rooms of medeival amoury and weapons.

Hertford House

Although it is wonderful, I have never been crowded there, it appears to not have same drawing power as National Gallery nor Tate, but that is to our advantage.

Mum and Leann were suitably impressed and we wandered through for a couple of hours absorbing the wonders on offer.

Main Gallery room

The main gallery is spectacular, however is only a fraction of the floor space which has loads of other rooms suffed with treasures.

The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals

Cultured up we then went for a late lunch at The Ivy Cafe where we caught up with Leah and over a wine and a couple of G&Ts talked through the art.

Bidding farewll to Leah the 4 of us walked down to Bond St station for the tube (very hot) ride to Canary Wharf where we met up with Scott, Ritchard, Kevin and his family. Nice interlude on way home and broke up the trip nicely.

Finally home around 7.00 we relaxed for the evening, still outside enjoying this tremendous UK summer (a rarity).

Up today and Mum has gone off to get her nails done and we are off to a West End show tonight. Again it is one I saw last year (Kinky Boots) but it is fun and am sure Mum will enjoy.

Until next time. Ciao

Oxford for the uneducated

On mum's list was a visit to Oxford. Years of watching Morse and Lewis ensured this was a must do!

A hot day was forecast so loaded with water we tubed to Paddington for the hour tain ride to the hallowed university town.

As I have done before we did the hop on hop off bus which gives you a great overview

Astronomy Hall

We got off near the Bodlean theatre and wandered through a couple of quads and streets. A little walk up to the High Street followed for a quick bite for lunch then past the Randolph Hotel and Ashmoleum museum.

Mum ticked off all the things she wanted to see so back on bus back to train station.

Cute places abound

Back to Paddington then a hot tube ride back home saw us happy but tired. Later on we all met up with the girls after they finished work at the wine bar and then moseyed home to sit in the twilight of the garden.

Up today to do some things and who knows what we will see in next couple of days.

London by bus and ferry

With a lovely day on offer, I stepped out with Mum for the cooks tour of London.Made our way back to Waterloo and jumped a hop on hop off bus. Great way to tick off all the boxes without having to do much!

We circulated around inner London past Westminster, The Abbey, schools etc to Buckingham Palace.

Westminster itself althoug Big Ben is still covered

We changed buses at the palace to head further West and North. Went through Paddington where we got off and had a coffeee with Fi. Back on did a loop around Marylebone, St Pancras and then back into town through Fleet St, past St Pauls then we got off at the Tower.

I really am here!

Had a look around the Tower area and an ice cream as it was sweltering by that time.We decided to head bsck from town on the ferry to Greenwich which is always nice.

Treated to see the Tower Bridge open up to allow a tall master through.

Tower Bridge opening and yes that is blue sky

From there it was a nice journey down the Thames past Surrey Quays, Canary Wharf and we disembarked at the Cutty Sark at Greenwich.

Stopped at M&S fo some dinner fixings then took th DLR back to Greenwich proper. Back to the house around 4.30 so day was done! Mum was happy to be home so I left her there and caught up with the crew at the Mordern Arms before meeting Fi at Daveys.

Easy dinner and then day was done. Up today cleaning and will prepare some dinner for girls tonight. Until next time.....