Hop On Hop Off Bus Travels

We bought tickets for the Hop On Hop Off Bus which has a stop very close to our hotel. We thought that it would be a good way to see lots of London while the weather remains cool, grey and damp.

 

We travelled to Trafalgar Square and spent some time watching the performers from 'Big Dance 2016' dancing in a variety of styles, from the Rock and roll of the 50's to hip hop. It was great!

 

 

Trafalgar Square was very busy. We watched the crowds for a while and then walked around the corner to the National Portrait Gallery. We spent a very pleasant time there looking at hundreds of beautiful portraits dating from the 1500's to the present day.

 

We came back to the hotel on the Hop On Hop Off bus, looking at lots of lovely sights on the way. We saw a hotel which appears to be where some of the tennis players are staying, lots of luxury car showrooms, the Houses of Parliament where there were lots of T.V. crews interviewing politicians about the leadership challenges etc., Westminster Abbey, the Thames and the London Eye.

 

We got back to the hotel, and our tiny but perfectly formed room, at about 5.00pm.

 

 

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London - A city of great pomp and many animals

We arrived in London on Monday evening and got to our hotel at 6.10 pm. Checked in and showered - how good was that!

Yesterday, Tuesday, we decided to go for a lovely walk through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. It was a pleasant morning but rain had been predicted for later in the day. What a surprise! Still it was warmer than Melbourne! Around 20 degrees expected before rain later......well it is an English summer.

We set off about 9.00 and slowly walked along, talking to many lovely dogs and some dog walkers. There were bumblebees, English magpies, green parrots, squirrels, swans and cygnets. Our first stop was the beautiful Peter Pan statue. Always our first port of call when we get to London.

We walked on and spotted bumblebees, swans, cygnets and squirrels amongst other creatures. All very cute and quite approachable.

As we came up to Rotten Row there was a group of trainee Horse Guards being put through their paces by their superior. He was a very shouty trainer who insisted on the trainees doing exactly as he shouted!

We kept walking and came up to Buck House just as the changing of the guard was taking place. There were brass bands, busbys, policeman stopping the crowds and the traffic. All very ceremonial! I think they just do it for the tourists!

All in all a very pleasant day. Back to the hotel before the rain.

 

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Only One More Sleep

Only 1 more sleep until we leave on our next adventure. Off to the Brexited UK. All packed and ready to go. Hopefully it will be warmer over there than it is here.

 

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14 sleeps till we leave

We only have 14 sleeps until we fly from a very chilly Wintery Melbourne to an equally chilly UK 'summer'.

 

I only hope the weather improves in the UK so it at least pretends to be summer.

 

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