Five Days in London

What sore feet we have after five days in London.  We arrived at the apartment late mornng after a two hour trip from Lichfield then the underground to Kennington.  The apartment owner had been nice enough to let us in early, and Lauren and Lee were already there.  It was a lovely apartment converted within an old school building.  Our apartment was an old school room with very high ceilings so that the bedrooms had been built as mezzanine.  Our bedroom was quite interesting as it had a glass railing to the loungeroom below. Out for lunch, a trip to stock up at the Tesco supermarket and we were off to explore London.

Our apartment entrance - ours was the boys, next door was the infants.

Loungeroom from our bedroom

Our afternoon was spent getting our bearings and pretty much doing the Monopoly Board. We also stumbled upon M and M world.  Jim and I as first time visitors worked out that the London pass would be good value for us, and picked these up from the collection point.  It was peak hour by the time we were ready to head home.  We were at Westminster Bridge so decided to walk.  It was actually only half an hour walk, so Jim and I repeated that the next three nights.

Abbey Road M and M style

We were very lucky with the weather as London decided to have something of an indian summer, and even though some mornings were a little foggy or misty, by the afternoon the sun was out.

Tuesday we got the bus to Westminister and spent quite a few hours at Westminster Abbey.  We were quite surprised to find it is really a tarted up grave yard with an over abundance of statues and memorials.  We also visited the Jewel tower and Churchill's Secret War Rooms.  The next morning, with Lauren and Lee, we got a boat to Grenwich.  They stayed there for the day and we got a return boat, getting off at the Tower of London.  Here we spent the whole afternoon.  It was very interesting and much bigger than we expected. We started of with a 1 hour guided tour with a Beefeater who had a very loud voice and gave an excellent tour before wandering around for another 2 1/2 hours, seeing places where Sir Walter Raleigh was held, Anne Bolelyn and other Queens executed along with numerous others.  The poms were a bloodthirsty lot.  We also saw heaps of armour, weapons, crowns and jewels.

London morning fog

Westminster Abbey older section

- no problem for me with door heights

Our final day with the pass we saw Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, the London Bridge experience, then on to St Paul's cathedral.  Tower Bridge was just OK, they could have done more and the Belfast was of interest to some.  The L.B. Experience was something different but more for younger people but was informative.  At St Pauls we were able to go up high into the balconies in the dome, but one of us had had enough by the first one.  It was very high and narrow but we were able to hear the orchestra and choir practicing which was a treat. We walked back from here, which was quite a long walk and our feet were certainly feeling it by the time we arrived home.  Yesterday was our final day in London and with Lauren and Lee we headed in for a look (only) at Harrods, a walk through Hyde Park then shopping along Oxford Street.

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

Some of the armour inside

 Place where Anne Boleyn and some other notables lost their heads

St. Paul's from the Millenium Bridge

Some interesting observations.  We were captivated with the London cabs and how many there were on the streets.  We were also amazed at how frequently the Police use their sirens.  It didn't matter where we were, in the apartment or in the centre of London, there always seemed to be a police car racing past with lights and siren.

The Cotswolds to Barton-Under-Needwood

As we didn't have a lot of travel on the Thursday, and the apartment owner had no one else coming in that day and was happy for us to linger, we had a leisurely morning, leaving Bath around 11.00 am.

Our first stop was Castle Combe.  It isn't a castle, but a lovely little town, although apparently there are some old castle ruins around somewhere.  This is another town that has proven popular for movies and TV shows (including War Horse).  It was really lovely with its tiny, very old houses and narrow streets.  Talking of which, we drove through a beauty on the way there.  A couple of miles before the the town the GPS and the street signs said turn left.  There was a big sign - not suitable for buses or trucks.  This was the tinniest laneway we had driven on, hedges on the side and trees across the top.  It was like driving through a dark narrow tunnel.  And of course, we had to meet cars coming the other way.  Fortunately we were near one of the few spots we could pull off.

After we spent some time in the church that had some interesting displays, plus the oldest clock in England, we came outside to be surprised to find it pouring rain.  So that cut short the rest or our exploration.  On then to Malmesbury and a stop for lunch.  We chose the bakery, which was a tiny little shop with a long line stretching along the footpath.  The wait was worth it, and we were surprised how very cheap it was (not like most of England).


On then to our next historic town Bibury.  This has been claimed to be one of the prettiest towns in England, and was good place for some Cream Tea (the areas version of a Devonshire).  The stream that ran through the town was crystal clear and we were amazed by all the trout of varying sizes swimming around. Obviously a protected area.

 From here it was an easy drive to our final destination for the night, the picture postcard perfect town of Bourton-on-the-Water.  With daylight saving we had lots of time to walk around this beautiful place and explore the wonderful little shops.  Lauren and Lee opted to visit a motor museum that was there because it had the original Brum (we no idea what she was talking about, but they enjoyed it).  We then went to one of the delightful pubs for dinner.  Talking of pubs, we can't believe the numbers there are, and so many quaint buildings.

Friday saw us exploring more of the Cotswolds.  Our first stop only  a couple of miles down the road was a walk between Lower and Upper Slaughter. We particularly enjoyed the Broadway Tower and the many little towns around the area.  The Broadway Tower is a folly built in the late 1700's with various uses since.  It has spectacular view of the countryside.  Some of the quaint towns we went through were Stow on the Wold and Morton on the Marsh.

We arrived at Stratford Upon Avon for lunch, which we had in a very quaint tea room called the Four Teas, which was themed around the war years with the staff all dressed for that period.  We all chose the afternoon tea which was like a high tea, but soon decided we should have shared!

By 4.00 pm we had arrived at Mel's house at Barton-Under-Needwood and were so excited to see her after all these years. She is still just the same, and it was great to meet her lovely husband, Rob, and the delightful Sam.

Saturday morning we took the car back to the hire company, and we all then ventured out in Mel and Rob's cars.  First stop was Ashbourne, and then on to the climb up Thorpe's Cloud.  A steep climb but worth the view at the top, where we sat and ate our lunch.  An easy stroll after that along the river bank.  Mel and Rob live opposite a canal and a lock, and we were delighted when we got back to find three boats waiting to go through.  These narrow little boats are fascinating, and being a lovely sunny weekend were proving very popular on the canals.  We all stood around watching as they opened and closed the loch to move the boats.

Sunday Mel and Rob took us to the National Memorial Aboretum.  This place surprised us at how big it was.  It is not just a war memorial, but seemed to be a memorial for many other things.  The gardens and lawns were beautiful, and there were some very unique memorials erected.

After lunch it was time to drop Lauren and Lee at the train station.  They were staying with a friend who lives out of London for the night.  We left them at the Lichfield station then went in to look at this town, famous for its cathedral.  We have seen lots of interesting churches and cathedrals, but this one was so different.  The walls are covered in statues and engravings.  There was a service on, so we didn't get to see what the inside held, but not much could beat the exterior.

This morning (Monday) we are heading in on the train to London to meet up with Lauren and Lee and make our way to the apartment we have booked for the next five nights while we explore what London has to offer.

Beautful Bath

Stepping off the boat in Portsmouth was a bit of a shock, cool temperature and a bitter wind blowing.  The boat arrived before 7 and our train wasn't until lunch time, so we arranged to leave our bags at the ferry terminal and got a taxi to the old port area.

We found a lovely little cafe for breakfast - a proper cappuccino at last!  France does not have a clue how to do these.  One day I paid 5.50 euros and got an espresso with canned whipped cream poured over the top.

Our original plan had been to have a look at the historic port area, but we discovered next to it was a big factory direct outlet.  The only thing better than Marks and Spencer is their outlet.  We had a lovely morning purchasing clothes that were warmer than what we brought with us.  Happily gloating over our purchases, it was time for the train to Bath.  This was a leisurely two hour trip through the lovely countryside.  A short walk and we were at our apartment with the owner waiting to let us in.  It is on the first floor of one of the old buildings and very central to the main town area.  After all the bag lugging and train journeys we were all happy to sit and relax in comfort for a while.

Tuesday unfortunately Lauren and Lee lost most of.  It was time for Lee to have his wrist looked at, and after first finding a clinic that was closed, they eventually got an appointment and were then redirected to the hospital for xrays.  All is good and with the reciprocal health agreement, he was not charged at all.

Meanwhile we ventured out to explore Bath.  We walked down to the river to discover a tour boat was about to leave.  We were the only ones on it as it was just starting to rain.  However, umbrella up, we enjoyed the hour long trip.  We were lucky it was only light rain but as we left the boat it became heavier.  After lunch we walked, coats on and umbrellas up, to the main features of the town, past all the lovely old buildings.

The end of our walk was the ancient Roman Baths, and by this stage Lauren and Lee had caught up with us.  We thought it was expensive to enter until we saw what a great complex it is.  They have done a wonderful job on it and it was one of the most interesting things we have seen so far.  Deep under the streets they have excavated the Roman temple that was next to the baths.  You are given an audio guide which explains more.  The hot water still flows in and out of the pool by the original means, and we were sorry we hadn't gone earlier as we were the last to leave.

Wednesday morning we walked 40 minutes along the river to the pick up point for our rental car.  After getting a little lost, we discovered there was more than one company under the same roof, and we had walked past it.  The car is a Peugot, and we needed something with a large boot to fit all our luggage in.  We headed out into the countryside firstly visiting Lacock.  The whole village has been classified, and has been used in many movies and shows such as Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice.  We found a lovely little tea room and had to stop for scones and tea.  Lauren is keen to continue this preoccupation throughout England.

The next stop was Avebury.  We had planned on going to Stonehenge, but talking with the apartment owner, she suggested that this was much more interesting and far more accessible.  We took her advice and were glad that we did as this was a very interesting area.  It was then back for Lee's hospital appointment for his xray results.  He came back minus his wrist brace, and now only has to wear it occasionally.

Dinner was at a lovely little pub just around the corner.  Surprisingly this was quite reasonably priced compared to everything else we have come across.

It's now time to leave Bath and explore a little of the Cotswolds.

Bayeux and other heights

Friday morning we left Versailles for our journey to Bayeux.  This entailed a metro trip back into Paris, then a two hour train journey through the countryside.

We arrived mid afternoon, dumped our bags and headed to the Tourist Information.  I had done a lot of research on what we wanted to see but had not had time to book anything.  Unfortunately this was a weekend, and a busy one at that.  We did manage to get on a tour of the Normandy beaches for Sunday morning, but all the options to Mont St Michel were booked.  The only other option the girl could come up with was a private car and driver hire.  We were quite surprised when this was still free.

After organising this, we then decided to have a look around this lovely little town with its beautiful old buildings.  Lauren and I were quite pleased to discover the many little boutiques at quite reasonable prices, and we both had a little shopping splurge.

Saturday morning arrived with our driver and his lovely car spot on time.  Sometimes it is amazing how things work out.  We had been looking at not being able to make this trip at all, and we suddenly discover we have perhaps the most knowledgeable guide in the area.  Pierre was actually going to have Saturday off, and when the tourist info girl told him we were from Australia, he did not want us to miss out.  We also discovered he is fully booked until the end of October.  He was born in the area and can trace his family back to the mid 1500's.  History is his passion and his breadth of knowledge was outstanding.  

We think we had to have had the best tour possible and learnt far more of the history of Mont St Michel than most would get.  He was a fountain of knowledge on the way, pointing out many sites and facts.  We went through a small town that he told us had been 95% destroyed during the war, and then another larger town that had been completely destroyed.   After spending the morning at Mont St Michel he then took us to the town of Avranches to show us the legend he had told us about.  St Michael is supposed to have appeared in a dream to Aubert the bishop of Avranches in 708, instructing him to build a church on the mount.  Aubert thought he was only dreaming and kept ignoring this message, until one night St. Michael took his finger and burned a whole in his skull so he would know it wasn't a dream.  In the cathedral in Avranches is the skull complete with hole on display.

Mont St Michael from the village

At the top

This Bishop's skull.  Hard to take with the lighting. The hole is in the top left corner.

From here we went to the town of Villedieu les Poeles, famous for its bell foundry.  Last year they completed 8 new bells for Notre Dame in Paris.  We found this tour very interesting and unique.

A finished bell in the foreground, and the cast for the new bell for the cathedral in Bayeux.

We returned late afternoon, but with time to still explore.  We had certainly picked a top weekend for all the sites.  It was the French Patrimoine weekend, where all museums and public places were free!!  Plus many things are open that aren't the rest of the year.  No charge for Mont St Michel and we saw the original part of the church not normally open.  Next visit was to the Bayeux Tapestry.  This tapestry is nearly 1000 years old and 70 metres long, depicting the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Close by was the Bayeux Cathedral.  We spent some time looking around the church, when Lauren discovered a special tour was about to depart.  Some people booked in had failed to show, so they were prepared to take us.  Unfortunately my French was not good enough to prepare me for what we were in for.  We ended up doing the hunchback of Notre Dame thing.  And this is another Notre Dame.  Before I knew it we were within the ceiling of the cathedral.  I kept thinking - this thing is about
1000 years old and I'm walking in the ceiling!!  But it didn't stop there, as we started up this tight stairwell, and came out in the bell tower.  Was that enough - hell no - now they take us out the door onto the a parapet that went the whole circuit of the building.  We are talking seriously high up here.  I am starting to wonder why I have let myself in for this, when we start to go downstairs again.  Ahh I think, finished at last.  No way, because she then found more bell towers, and not only that, we also went out onto the roof at the top of the stained glass windows.  This was certainly an unbelievable and unique experience, but I'm not sure if I really gave it the appreciation it deserved.

The tour  ended up taking an hour and a half, so it was quite a late dinner that night.

From up in one of the bell towers

I'm not letting go of something solid.

Up with the flying buttresses and the stained glass windows.

Another view from up top.

The outside of the beautiful cathedral

We were up early the next morning for our 8.00 am start for our tour of the D Day landing sites.  This was a sobering and thought provoking experience.  To see the challenges they endured, then the row and upon row of crosses in the American cemetery was hard to comprehend.  It is surprising how many of the German batteries are still standing, even some that were bombed in the landing.

German fortifications

Part of the American cemetery.

Bomb craters

Omaha Beach.  So peaceful now.

Something we had not heard of before was the artificial port built straight after D Day that then supplied the lines.  There was some unique film footage of trucks and supplies being offloaded on these bridges.  Much of this concrete and steel harbour still survives.  We were told how these constructions were made in England with the workers not being told what they were building so the secret could not get out.

Remnants of the artificial harbour in the background and unused spare parts on the beach

With our morning tour over we returned to the museum in Bayeux where we soaked up more of the war history in this large display.  Then it was back to collect our bags from the hotel.

Our ferry to England didn't leave until 11..00 pm, but unfortunately the last bus to the ferry terminal leaves at 6, so we had an early arrival and long wait to board.  Despite our rather cramped 4 berth cabin, we all slept well lulled by the gentle movement of the boat.

And so to England.