Taking a Bath - Day 8

After a nice evening stroll around the town and an easy pizza last night we awoke to steady rain. No matter, as the main target for the day was the American Museum near the university. Gail wanted to see the antique quilt collection and thankfully there were some American history displays and a collection of  ancient maps to keep me interested.

First job after a wonderful breakfast, was for me to pick up our hire car while Gail did a little turn through the shops. After a long wait I was given an unwanted upgrade to a Wokka Echo?? which is a local made small SUV. No maps, books or SatNav available, my helpful Europcar guy told me just to follow my nose and it would all be good ....... Unfortunately my nose is bent.

Got back to B&B and out to American Museum with only one wrong turn along the way. Gaily very happy that she got to see some remarkable old quilts.

Spent late afternoon walking through Bath and up hills to see Royal Cresent and Circus as well as many other beautiful parts of the city. A drink in The Huntsman, an easy Thai meal, followed by a walk home under some blue sky and church bells completed the day.

Bye to London, Hello Bath -Day7

First rain last night on our way to restaurant but today dawned overcast and dry so that our walk to the tube was easy. Got to Paddington ahead of schedule but found track work meant a trip first to Bristol and train change to Bath. Strike action also meant no services on the train. A minor hiccup.

Got to a wet Bath and grabbed first cab to our B&B "Brindleys". Very nice, and a short level walk across the Avon into town.

Sunday on the long weekend saw the place full of people. After a nice, late Sunday roast dinner at The Huntsman, that neither of us got close to finishing, we did the tour of the Roman baths. Very well set out museum that was a far cry from the simple visit we did here in 1975.

A stroll around the very attractive central part of the city and along the river was another nice way to walk off lunch. The extra 40 years on the clock had us needing a little cuppa and rest in the room before strolling back for dinner.

Go, go, go girl. Day 6

I continue to worry if I have taken the real Gail on this trip. Despite a little headache from last night, Gaily was up first again and keen to hit the Portebello Markets. Knowing that rain is predicted for the afternoon we were off early and moving down a long line of bric-a-brac, clothing and antiques.

A few minor purchases made we headed to Paddington station (and bear shop) to get our tickets to Bath for tomorrow morning. 

On the tube again we headed out to the Tower of London and onto a river cruise down to the London Eye. Thousands were there so we jumped on the tour bus for a ride through Piccadilly jumping off to say a quick hello to the other Queen at Buck House.

The other Gail was then keen for a long walk to Harrods and a wander through all the departments we can't afford to be in. Afraid that I might do a face plant in some display of premium wines, the other Gail allowed a break for sustenance.

Made the mistake of grabbing a seat in the first pub we came to "The Bunch O Grapes" where the food read better than it tasted. Further along we came to a lovely collection of eateries around South Kensington tube where we booked a nice Italian for our final night in London.

Back to the hotel for a little break......... I need a holiday.

Tired? Day 5

Samuel Johson said " A man who is tired of London is tired of life" 

London is certainly full of life and full of people from every corner of the globe these days.

We arose early to get our fill of the city and ate a hearty breakfast, before a decent internet connection allowed a Skype call to Kate. 

A little later than planned we headed to Westminster to encounter huge crowds around Big Ben and the bridge. Gaily suggested a bus tour and as it was a sunny day, we took a seat on the top deck for a run around the great sites of London.

The traffic ensured a very leisurely trip that any self-respecting walker could have easily outpaced. Plenty of time to take in the sites and aromas the city has to offer.

Alighting back at Westminster, we walked up Whiehall to Trafalgar and into the National Gallery. We enjoyed the first section of some great Impressionists but found most other galleries we were looking to see were closed. Lunch beckoned, so we found a congenial Italian in Piccadilly to fit the bill.

Childbride had her must-do visit to the Liberty shop after an harassing walk up a packed Regents Street.

That completed a decision was made to make a strategic withdrawal back to Earls Court for a short rest to plan our next move.

A tired and jet- lagged tour leader fell asleep while contemplating the next move, so a local dinner was the logical option.......and a useful one it proved!

We had a nice drink at the Kings Head with a happy crowd of workers looking forward to the long weekend, followed by a good Thai restaurant and then back to our local, The Blackbird, for a great singalong with an Australian entertainer who had the pub rocking...........London life is tiring!

Doing London - Day 4

Something strange is happening! Gail is first up and showered early before I can raise myself out of bed. A women on a mission, we have breakfast and walk to the Natural History Museum to be there soon after opening.

Lucky we got the jump on the thousands arriving in the last days of the school holidays as the lines built quickly. Well worth the visit, but the crowds of families meant that we just took a taster and moved on to the Victoria and Albert next door.

Gail was keen to see the quilts that she had heard about, but was disappointed that these were no longer showing. Still had plenty to take our interest for a couple of hours.

Took the tube to Covent garden for a nice lunch in the White Lion and a look at the buskers before buying tickets to a musical. Chose the "Jersey Boys" at Piccadilly and after a little rest headed back in for the show.

Terrific performance by the boys and great entertainment. Very impressed by the amount of songs that Frankiie Valli and Bob Gordio were associated with. Outside, the whole of Covent Garden was filled with people leaving shows or going to pubs and bars.

Managed to tick off a few must do's today.

Joys of travel - Day 3

The idea of breaking a long flight to Europe with a stopover seems appealing until you get to add the extra pleasures of getting to and from airports, especially big and busy ones like Hong Kong and Heathrow. Added to the 12 hour flight was the extra 3 hours at each end making it a long day indeed.

Thankfully we had the extra seat on other packed flight that allowed us to take turns in curling up on the two seats.

We arrived after 9 pm at our hotel and were given the last room, by the look of things. Complaint that I had booked and paid for the room 8 months ago drew the response to take it up with the manager in the morning....... Needed a drink and found The Blackbird on the corner suited the bill nicely!

Area we are in is good and the last room is comfortable but small. Will be positive tomorrow.

The Blackbird Earls Court

Big day out

After a relaxing evening of a few drinks at the bar, a nice meal and a view of the lightshow from the buildings around the harbour, we had a good nights sleep. Thus refreshed we set out to see a little of this frantic city at a leisurely pace.

Started with a walk through harbour city designer shops where looking was nice, but buying out of our league. A Ferry cruise around the harbour was relaxing until Victoria Harbour was compared with the only 2 other great harbours - San Fran and Rio??? Sydney's Son was not happy!

We then took the Star Ferry across to the island and an exciting express bus to Stanley on the other side of the island. As we hung on grimly a guy was pressed against the front window of the top deck videoing it. It looked better than a theme park ride!

After a stroll though the markets and a little lunch on the bay we opted for the slow bus back!

While HK is an expensive town ( especially if you like a wine!) you have to give it to public transport. The return ferry and long bus trips cost $9.00 for the two of us. Very cheap entertainment.

First leg complete

We have arrived in Hong Kong a little worst for wear to enjoy the view? from our hotel.

The flight was a little bumpy so meals were affected and also any chance for sleep. Very glad we had the extra seat for added comfort as the plane was full. Cathay's economy seats are a bit roomier than Emirates, but the food not as good.

Got in early and the airport was expectedly quiet at 5 in the morning. First Airport Express train of the day got us in to Kowloon quickly, but just missed our hotels bus. Only 12 minute wait till next one, but we had an early morning tour of Kowloon as our hotel was last on the agenda. Thankfully the reception was able to give us a room at 7.00 am so we could get a few winks. Hàs a view of Kowloon Park and a little of the harbour but it's so humid and hazy it's hard to see through the condensation on the windows.

After a little rest we headed out for a stroll through the park and down to the harbour. Heat and humidity too much to bear, we beat a retreat back to the hotel for lunch. Can't have Childbride experiencing another bad hair day!

Hotel view

It's all happening!

Today is our 39th wedding anniversary, tomorrow is Elena's birthday and on Sunday we fly out for an 8 week adventure starting in Hong Kong, then London, SW England, Paris, France and Northern Spain.

It's 32 years since we've been to Hong Kong, and over 35 years since we last visited England and Spain. While we haven't changed we may notice one or two over there.

Lewers Gallery

A new exhibition featuring sculptures will take place at the Penrith Regional Gallery (Lewers) from late August. The Nepean Art Society was asked to submit paintings on a theme of flowers and gardens for the exhibit.
After judging by the curators, a group of paintings were selected for the exhibit and I was fortunate to have two small looser works on Wildflowers selected . Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I won't be around to see it, as we will be in Europe by then.
Having sold a few paintings and now having a little recognition helps me continue the learning process.

Pics aren't good but give an idea of the two selected. I thought that two others were better!