LONDON - DAY 3 - SUNDAY

As it was Sunday, we slept a little later, then caught a taxi to visit the family Amber worked for as a Nanny. It was really lovely to see Chris, Jolie and the children: Jonah, Eloise and Alexandra. We also met Jolie's parents, Ron and Anita, who were visiting from Perth. 

We chatted for almost two hours before walking with Ron to nearby Shepherd's Bush. After coffee at the huge Westfield we caught the tube back to Queensway and walked through Kensington Gardens.

We did a tour of Kensington Palace, which is where Charles and Diana once lived and is now home to William and Catherine and the new baby. They must still be at the in-laws as we looked through every room but they were nowhere to be found.

We resumed our walk through the gardens and then walked on to the Natural History and the Victoria and Albert Museums.

From there it was back onto the subway to return to the hotel.

The weather has generally been fine, with occasional showers. It's fresh, but not cold.

It's hard to believe this is only our third night here, with so much of this adventure still to unfold!

LONDON - DAY 2

 We've been busy!

After breakfast we headed off catch a bus to Covent Garden. It was after 9.00am when we got there, but that was obviously too early for the locals, as the place was almost deserted. So back onto the tube we went, stopping off at Leicester Square to check out the cheap theatre tickets. We are off to see Jersey Boys tonight at 7.30pm. There were lots of restaurants at Leicester Square so we are planning an early dinner before the show.

Then it was another tube ride to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guards (along with several thousand others). We managed to catch glimpses of red uniforms and furry black hats, so we were happy!

We walked (and walked and walked) to another tube station to head back to Covent Garden for lunch. The crowds were out in force by then, with people everywhere! 

On the tube ride back, the lifts were crowded so we opted for the stairs! OMG! 193 stairs later, we almost needed resuscitating! 

We chose to walk (and walk and walk) back to the hotel through Hyde Park and got to see squirrels, ducks, geese and swans. Another bus ride and we are now at the hotel, with just time to get ready to head off for dinner and Jersey Boys!

LONDON - DAY 1

We landed at Heathrow at about 6.00am and once through customs caught the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station.

It was a 15 minute  early morning walk from the station to our hotel, which is located opposite Hyde Park. By then it was only 7.30am so we left our bags and headed for the subway. 

First stop was Trafalgar Square. As it was so early there were very few people about. We enjoyed a coffee overlooking Trafalgar Square, as it started to pour rain!

 We then walked to Westminster to see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Just across the road is Westminster Abbey. We did the tour of the Abbey, where the bodies of Kings, Queens, noble men and women and famous poets are buried. The architecture of this grand building is just as amazing as its historical importance.

We spent about two hours there before walking towards Buckingham Palace via St Jame's Park. John and Kelly Smith joined us for a tour of the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace. Wow! The elegance, the ornate decorations, the portraits, the history, kept us intrigued for almost two hours before we had afternoon tea at the cafe in the Palace Gardens. The crowds were incredible, but apparently it's like that every day for the two months that the Palace is open to the public while the Queen is at Edinburgh for Summer.

We said goodbye to Smiths and headed off to find Harrod's, passing Hyde Park and the Wellington Memorial on the way.

The trip home from Harrod's involved three tube changes and more walking, but we've finally checked into our hotel and can put our feet up at last!

LONDON

We have arrived in London. Long flight but managed to get some sleep. 

Next it's the Heathrow Express to Paddington  Station then a walk to our hotel. We're staying at the Troy Hotel, just opposite Hyde Park.

The adventure begins....

SINGAPORE STOPOVER

Just time for a drink and a quick look at the Butterfly Garden and the Koi fish pond.

Ready to board for the next leg. London, here we come!

WE HAVE LIFT OFF!

We are on board and ready to take off! Next stop, Singapore!

NOT LONG NOW!