London bound
What a rare occasion it was to see the heavens open and a real downpour overnight. It was so cosy in our hotel bar, and despite the rain, it was still lovely to look out to sea.
Next morning we were greeted with a wonderful sunrise and beautiful golden, shimmering waters past the lighthouse and castle.It was a great sendoff. We had a long day ahead of us to get back to London.
Fortunately, nobody wanted to do the visit to Jamaica Inn pub, famous due to Daphne du Maurier's book, Jamaica Inn. This meant an hour was freed up to enable a flying visit to Glastonbury town, famous for its yearly festival, when 175,000 music lovers descend upon the area on the outskirts of this very new-age town.
The name of the first pub we passed echoed my thoughts about this pretty little L- shaped town, with almost every other shop selling incense, books of myths and magic and anything spiritual. Goodness knows how they all manage to earn a living. Perhaps they rely solely on their income during the musical festival and summer months. The large ruined abbey evidently draws in a large number of tourists too.
Trudi and I decided against the abbey, perhaps a pity as it seems it was quite vast with superb gardens. Still, we did enjoy people and dog watching instead. It is a pretty little town and the shops were fascinating.
Although I had primarily thought I would not visit Stonehenge, I decided that it was so long ago that I last saw it, I should see it one last time. Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed the short visit. Of course, in the 1970 s we could actually walk amongst the stones, but in many ways the stones were far more impressive seen from not too far away and with nobody around. What a masterpiece it is. Like so many other marvelous places we have seen on tour, we were left marvelling at the brilliance of those who had built this ancient monument.
Trudi and I decided against the abbey, perhaps a pity as it seems it was quite vast with superb gardens. Still, we did enjoy people and dog watching instead. It is a pretty little town and the shops were fascinating.
Although I had primarily thought I would not visit Stonehenge, I decided that it was so long ago that I last saw it, I should see it one last time. Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed the short visit. Of course, in the 1970 s we could actually walk amongst the stones, but in many ways the stones were far more impressive seen from not too far away and with nobody around. What a masterpiece it is. Like so many other marvelous places we have seen on tour, we were left marvelling at the brilliance of those who had built this ancient monument.
The beautiful silvery grey clouds helped to make Stonehenge seem even more mystical and the stones even more huge. Here the headstone which is in direct line with the sun rays at the solstices.
It was certainly a lot of driving from Falmouth to London, though fortunately we didn't hit the motorway until after Stonehenge, so only for the final two hours. We were super lucky because as we drove in to London I spotted our hotel, so we got dropped off only minutes away. It was a great hotel in an excellent location in Kensington, very close to Kensington Palace.
It was certainly a lot of driving from Falmouth to London, though fortunately we didn't hit the motorway until after Stonehenge, so only for the final two hours. We were super lucky because as we drove in to London I spotted our hotel, so we got dropped off only minutes away. It was a great hotel in an excellent location in Kensington, very close to Kensington Palace.
It seemed ages since we had been in London during the period of mourning following Queen Elizabeth's death. As we passed the Palace and Green Park on our Hop on Hop off bus, although there were still crowds of people, we could sense a completely different mood. Gone were the lines of people sadly trudging along heads bowed in the queue to visit the floral tribute. Instead, you could see smiling faces and hear laughter.
I had certainly forgotten how majestic the tower housing Big Ben is. It is such a magnificent landmark and as we saw it, it was lit up by the late afternoon sun.
In fact, the silhouette of the Houses of Parliament seen from across the Thames is just as fabulous.Interestingly enough, none of my photos show in anyway the hoards of people absolutely everywhere in this vast city.
The bus tour certainly allows you to enjoy some of the most iconic landmarks very closely. Driving over Tower Bridge on the top of a double decker bus brings you just a little closer to those tourists screaming above you on the upper part of this majestic bridge. Apparently the bridge still opens up to 1000 times a year to let large vessels through.
I am not a lover of graffiti, but this wall close to Westminster Bridge had some very touching messages of love to those who have passed away.
We got an excellent overview of the city on the bus. For Trudi, it was her first time there and for me there were an amazing number of incredible new buildings to admire.
In fact, the silhouette of the Houses of Parliament seen from across the Thames is just as fabulous.Interestingly enough, none of my photos show in anyway the hoards of people absolutely everywhere in this vast city.
The bus tour certainly allows you to enjoy some of the most iconic landmarks very closely. Driving over Tower Bridge on the top of a double decker bus brings you just a little closer to those tourists screaming above you on the upper part of this majestic bridge. Apparently the bridge still opens up to 1000 times a year to let large vessels through.
I am not a lover of graffiti, but this wall close to Westminster Bridge had some very touching messages of love to those who have passed away.
We got an excellent overview of the city on the bus. For Trudi, it was her first time there and for me there were an amazing number of incredible new buildings to admire.
Our walk from Westminster to Tottenham Court was hard work. I have never seen such crowds before. People of so many nationalities were pushing and shoving their way through the London streets on their way to pubs, restaurants or shows. It was remarkable and certainly not something I would wish to do too regularly! The Covid pandemic has long since been forgotten by most here.
We headed to the Dominion Theatre to see Grease. The Dominion is relatively small, but still a very plush and elegant place. By the time the show started nearly every seat in the building was taken and the audience treated to a fabulous rendering of Grease. The singing and dancing was terrific. Our seats were not too far back from the stage, so we had a brilliant view of some of the dance scenes. What energy and expertise!
Well, it was certainly a full on introduction to London on our first day. The next day I planned a very different experience, taking in some of the markets and also the suburbs just on the outskirts. Notting Hill is a stunningly colourful and quiet place early in the day at the weekend. Itwas a breath of fresh air after the bustling streets of the city.
Well, it was certainly a full on introduction to London on our first day. The next day I planned a very different experience, taking in some of the markets and also the suburbs just on the outskirts. Notting Hill is a stunningly colourful and quiet place early in the day at the weekend. Itwas a breath of fresh air after the bustling streets of the city.
Sadly Portobello Road market hadn't started up yet as we arrived, but it was still a really pleasant visit to this picturesque part of London.It was all very quiet and clean. With such great weather the early bird stallkeepers were looking forward to a good market turnout.
It was great to take a double decker bus instead of underground to Camden Loch market. Wow, I had read that this place was worth visiting, but nothing had prepared me for the scale of this fascinating place. It is a massive market, extremely busy, full of people of all nationalities, all shapes and sizes, all ages. The entire area is extremely colourful, with the smell of delicious food always present. How I loved these phenomenal sun umbrellas. They made me feel so happy!
It didn't matter which alleyway you turned into, there they were again, simply hundreds of them throwing a beautiful light on the otherwise dark alleys.
I particularly loved the area of market set in the old horse stables. The atmosphere was truly unique.
I had been recommended by many to visit Little Venice, so we set off along the Regent's Canal. Sadly, the first part of the walk on the tow path was far from pleasant, with sack loads of rubbish floating amongst a horrible thick layer of green slime. What a terrible shame that people litter what would otherwise be a spectacular place.
I had been recommended by many to visit Little Venice, so we set off along the Regent's Canal. Sadly, the first part of the walk on the tow path was far from pleasant, with sack loads of rubbish floating amongst a horrible thick layer of green slime. What a terrible shame that people litter what would otherwise be a spectacular place.
Luckily, by the time we passed Regent's Zoo the river was once again clean and the tow path more like the ones I had grown to love on my canal boat trip - which suddenly seems ages ago and yet only one month has slipped by!
Little Venice is lovely with its large marina housing many residential narrow boats as well as tourist boats. It was great to see the first sign of autumn colours along the banks.
We headed to Borough Market for lunch. It was heaving with people and quite tricky to get close enough to stalls to see what they were offering. It was a pity because I am sure there was some incredible food there. One stall had a massive queue for its food. I wish I had known what they were serving. It must have been marvelous!
Little Venice is lovely with its large marina housing many residential narrow boats as well as tourist boats. It was great to see the first sign of autumn colours along the banks.
We headed to Borough Market for lunch. It was heaving with people and quite tricky to get close enough to stalls to see what they were offering. It was a pity because I am sure there was some incredible food there. One stall had a massive queue for its food. I wish I had known what they were serving. It must have been marvelous!
Lunch over, we headed along The Queen's Walk by the River Thames to Tower Bridge. There were sooooo many people! We wanted to take tge boat downriver to Westminster, as part of Hop on hop off tour. It was tricky finding the jetty, but once on we were treated to a very good and entertaining commentary as we glided along.
Tower Bridge with the Shard behind it is a fantastic sight.
It is a pity we didn't have time to goup the Shard or Sky Tower. Next time!?
I love all the giant glass architectural masterpieces which have popped up over the past decades. I would hate to be the window cleaner though!
The London Eye looks so magnificent. I have to admit it was the first time I had seen it. As much as I would love that overview of London, I cannot imagine being way up high in a glass cabin. It looks even more amazing when the planes appearon the landing oath just behind it - 1 after the other, 30 seconds apart.
The final day was certainly not wasted. With our luggage safely stored we explored Kensington Gardens and the park and then found ourselves at The Royal Albert Hall, a place I have long since wanted to visit, particularly to go to the Last Night of the Proms. Sadly, this year this was cancelled at short notice after the death of Queen Elizabeth. I am sure she would not have wanted that!
It is a pity we didn't have time to goup the Shard or Sky Tower. Next time!?
I love all the giant glass architectural masterpieces which have popped up over the past decades. I would hate to be the window cleaner though!
The London Eye looks so magnificent. I have to admit it was the first time I had seen it. As much as I would love that overview of London, I cannot imagine being way up high in a glass cabin. It looks even more amazing when the planes appearon the landing oath just behind it - 1 after the other, 30 seconds apart.
The final day was certainly not wasted. With our luggage safely stored we explored Kensington Gardens and the park and then found ourselves at The Royal Albert Hall, a place I have long since wanted to visit, particularly to go to the Last Night of the Proms. Sadly, this year this was cancelled at short notice after the death of Queen Elizabeth. I am sure she would not have wanted that!
Anyway, the best possible option for us was to do a tour of the building, which was really great. How impressive it is to look down on the entire hall from the Gallery. I can imagine what a brilliant atmosphere it must be to be there amongst 5200 others. One day I certainly want to attend a concert there, or Masters Tennis or Cirque Soleil.
Easy Jet might have had some bad press this year, but I have had only good experiences with them. Once again, I arrived back in Switzerland aafely, with my suitcase. Who can ask for more? What a fantastic time I have had with family and friends, on the canals and on tour in The South West of England and finally in London.
Easy Jet might have had some bad press this year, but I have had only good experiences with them. Once again, I arrived back in Switzerland aafely, with my suitcase. Who can ask for more? What a fantastic time I have had with family and friends, on the canals and on tour in The South West of England and finally in London.
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