Mikey & Mich's Scenic Adventure

Thought we might like to buy a tapestry for our stairway void at home so went to an antique tapestry shop. Hmm, the one I really liked was 16,000 pounds - yes 16,000 - ouch. We are in the wrong shop. Still they were beautiful but our sun would absolutely destroy them and we don't have 16,000 anything to spend on a tapestry.

Then went to say goodbye to Nikki. Had a latte with her at the cafe at the bottom of her apartment complex.

We weren't catching the coach until 6.35pm so tried to catch last minute tickets to the performance of Wicked at 2.30pm at the Apollo Theatre next to Victoria Station (we had a 3 day tube pass that expired yesterday so wanted to do things close to the hotel today). Perfect - front row for only 25 pounds each. It finished around 5.30pm just in time to go back to the hotel and get our backpacks and head to the coach station.

Got to the coach station around 6pm and the coach that was due to arrive at 6.35pm didn't turn up until 7pm - luckily we had allowed extra extra time in case of traffic etc so we were fine.

Got to the airport around 8.45pm and checked our luggage. We had 39 kilos and were allowed 40kg (we bought a bit while we were away). We purchased a little luggage scale thingy that was fab so we knew we wouldn't be overweight (our bags - I can't say anything about us - all that eating and drinking etc) and it took the stress and worry out of checkin.

Flight to KL was smooth and now we are sitting drinking mochas and eating donuts until the gate opens to board the plane home. Gotta love free wifi in airports.

Weather shock to go from cold and overcast to arrive at 8pm at night and it was 28 degrees when we arrived - ouch.

x

Spending our last day in London.

Going to say goodbye to Nikki and Chris and will see them in Perth in a month. Going to do a bit of last minute shopping to spend our pounds and then catch the bus to Stansted Airport.

Looking forward to going home and seeing our little doggies.

x

Went to Long Tall Sally and bought some clothes. Then caught the train back to the hotel and got ready for High Tea at The Ritz.

The Ritz is beautiful. Gilt gold everywhere. We enjoyed cucumber, chicken, salmon, ham, egg mayo and cheese sandwiches followed by scones with jam and clotted cream (yum) and then moved onto the top level of the 3 tier tray to Ritz chocolate mud cake, almond macaroon, fruit boat tart, raspberry cheesecake tart and raspberry mousse with white chocolate praline. Gosh we were glad we didn’t eat lunch.

We left at 4.45pm and rolled out to catch the tube to Knightsbridge station and Harrods. We spent about an hour in Harrods (could have spent so many more hours) then we went to the Prince of Wales Theatre to see if we could get cheap tickets to Mamma Mia. We were about to get Stalls seats (which were surprisingly good).

The show was the best so far and we laughed, sang, danced and had a great time.

The final few songs – like Waterloo – were fabulous and by the end everyone was standing and dancing – what a way to get a standing ovation….

Caught the tube back and packed our bags as checkout is 10am tomorrow (our last day).

x

Slept in and then headed to the Cabinet War Rooms where Winston Churchill and his team “bunkered down” during world war 2. Churchill was also Minister of Defence so it saved a lot of problems between politics and defence that has plaqued the Prime Minister during the first world war. It was very interesting (more interesting for Michael than for me). They had an interactive desk that was very state of the art. They had displays of all the rooms that various members of the cabinet lived – including Clementine Churchill. There were event kitchens so Churchill would miss out on his Beef Wellington even in war time.

We then caught the tube to Temple Station (Blackfriars is closed) and then walked over Blackfriars bridge to The Globe Theatre. It was finished in 1997 and is a recreation of the original Globe Theatre that was built about half a mile down the river. It was very true to the original theatre that was burnt down by fire in the thatched roof. It is the only thatched roof that has been approved to be built in London since the Great Fire.

It was after 5m when we finished the tour and it was a lovely time of day as the full moon had just come up. We caught the tube to catch up with Nikki and Chris for drinks in the bar at Hood Square (where they live) and then headed back to the hotel to get ready for Chicago.

Went to the Cambridge Theatre and watched the show. It was very good. The orchestra was on the stage in the middle and became a part of the show which is quite different to normal shows – great fun and very good acting/singing.

x

Woke up and headed for Kington upon Thames. Traffic was shocking because it was pouring with rain and there were accidents everywhere.

Rang Dad and he rang Sid and Jean to let them know we were on our way but would be late. Arrived around 11.20am. They were lovely. Had a cup of tea and a chat. Gave then a calendar as a gift and they gave Michael a souvenir of an empty rum bottle (one of the last made in England). Stayed for about an hour and then headed to London.

Found the hotel easily and parked and dropped luggage then dropped the car at Victoria Station. Caught the Tube to Covent Garden for The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. Had to run the last 500 metres as the Green Park station had a fire alarm and we had to catch 3 trains to get there (trust the tube).

It was amazing. The costumes were incredible. The giraffes were men on slits and the big elephant, lion and hyena costumes were truly amazing. The songs were great (of course) and it was a really full theatre for a matinee session. Really worthwhile!

Got back to the hotel and rang Nikki to arrange dinner. Caught the tube to Pimlico station and Nikki and Chris met us at the station. Went to Goya for a lovely Spanish/Italian dinner. It was so nice to see them and catch up.

Nikki and Chris walked us back to our hotel after dinner and we were all laughing because it was only a 10 minute walk and we hadn’t needed to catch the tube (but the tube is fun).

X

Raining and then became fine at about 12 (just in time for the game).

This morning woke up and thought we would have a leisurely morning. Was watching TV and realised that the game was at 12.45 not 3pm like we had been told.

So madly rushed over to Christine and Keith's to say goodbye and then headed into London. Arrived at the Hotel around 12noon and dumped our bags into the room and jumped on a bus to the Emirates Stadium. Got our tickets from Terry and headed into the stadium.

Had great seats in the Arsenal members section (undercover). Gosh they are a passionate lot. Singing already as they are walking up the stairs going to find their seats. Amazing.

The game was incredible with 60,103 people in attendance. The supporters were getting a bit restless because it was about 10 minutes before half time and no-one had scored. Then BAM Arsenal scored 2 goals in 11 seconds. Gosh they were a happy bunch then. Then half time. Not soon after half time another goal for Arsenal. The Spurs tried to catch up but unfortunately they remained goalless. (3 nil and we won't shut up).

They have so many songs it was so much fun. With about 15 minutes to go until the end of the game the Spurs supporters started leaving in their droves. The Arsenal supporters (all 59,000 of them) started singing "is there a fire drill that we don't know about" ha ha. It was soooo funny.

We had such a great time it was the best day of the whole trip.

Jumped back onto the bus to head back and the supporters were already in the pubs and on the streets. They started throwing beer at the bus and so we thought it was probably time to go back to the hotel, even though we thought we might stay out felt it safer to head back to the safety and comfort of the hotel. The bus drive stopped to fix his mirror because the supporters moved it.

When we got back near the hotel we dropped in to the supermarket to get some dinner.

Watching Star Wars: Episode 2 on TV. We are exhausted with the laughing and supporting.

Great day!!!

x

Had a lovely breakfast this morning and then headed into the Grafton Centre to catch up with my friend from 20 years ago, Lorna. Had a lovely chat catching up on lost time and chatting about travel. Met Chantelle, Lorna and Tim’s 13 year old daughter. It was fantastic to catch up and see hope to keep in touch via Facebook. Hopefully they will come out to Australia and visit us soon.

Headed to Anglesey Abbey to see if we could solve the tapestry argument. Anglesey is a Jacobean-style house with some amazing collections of works of art, tapestries and jade and silver. It has the second largest collection of paintings of Windsor Castle. It was built originally as an Abbey and then turned into a house by Lord Fairhaven. It is all on 114 acres of landscaped and wildlife gardens and has a working 18th century lode mill with watermill.

Wallked around the house and saw the tapestries, the beautiful jade collection, the collection of silver snuff boxes. Unfortunately it didn’t solve our argument about tapestries because they had a third way of hanging them (oh dear).

Went for a walk around the gardens (bit cold) and saw some beautiful Dahlias.

Headed back to Cambridge and then went over to Christine and Keith’s for afternoon tea and a chat. Stayed for dinner and then headed back to the B&B. Will go to say our goodbye’s tomorrow morning before heading to London.

x

Had a lovely sleep in until around 11am. Went for coffee and checked emails, etc. Gave Lorna a call and arrange to catch up with her for coffee on Friday. Went to Christine and Keith’s in Cambridge.

It was so lovely to see them again after 3 years. Chatted for a while and then Keith came with us to the B&B and we checked in and dropped our bags and then went to get Chinese food for dinner (yum).

Went back to Christine and Keith’s and had dinner and watched Top Gear episode when they built amphibious vehicles and crossed the English channel trying to beat “Beardy Branson’s” record. Such a laugh!

X

152 miles

Left Liverpool and headed to Bolsover Castle via the Peak District. We were trying to settle an argument about how to hang our tapestry that we bought at Edinburgh Castle. Peak District was beautiful and it was such a lovely day to go for a drive through it. Got to Bolsover Castle and found that it would be twelve pound entry and they didn’t have any tapestries and so decided to give it a miss.

Arrived at Barry and Joyce’s just after 3pm (Michael remembered how to get there without a map just from going there once 3 years ago – amazing)! They have painted and got new carpet – the house looks wonderful. It was so good to see them again – they looked exactly the same – we chatted for a while and then went over to Melanie’s and Ian’s to have afternoon tea. Saw all the children, Lydia, Edward, William and of course Felicity who is now 21 months. She is amazing, she can talk, count, make animal noises, bounce (high) on the trampoline and is completely doted on by her brothers and sisters, especially Will. Very cute to see.

Lydia is 18 in November and is choosing which university she should go to. She is going to study psychology. Ed is doing a forensic science course and hopes to do science at Uni (hmm makes us mere mortals looks quite ordinary). We had a lovely time visiting them all.

Headed back to Barry and Joyce’s at around 6pm for dinner and had a lovely roast chicken and veggies (yes I know I actually loved having veggies because we haven’t had many this trip – shh don’t tell Michael though….).

Really enjoyed our visit with them and were quite sad to say goodbye and head to the Travelodge in Markfield.

X

Foggy morning with sunny afternoon 17
187 miles

Slept in this morning and then headed to Liverpool. Didn’t take very long along the motorway. We arrived around 12.30pm and had lunch at the YHA. Then headed to Albert Dock and went to The Beatles Exhibition. Spent a couple of hours going through the exhibition. They have memorabilia from from them all including Pete (?) and Andy White(?) who were the drummers before Ringo Star. It also recreated the place where they used to play (The Cavern) in the early days.

Then we went to the Maritime Museum. They have an exhibition of The Titanic, Lusitania and Empiress of Ireland(?). As the White Star Line head office was in Liverpool the ship had Liverpool written on the back. Funny that Cobh in Ireland had a display as the last place The Titanic landed before it hit the iceaberg, and Belfast built it so had that claim to fame. Everyone wants a piece of the Titanic fame.

We then went for a walk around Alfred Dock for a while. Went for a walk past the Eco Arena. There was a whole heap of girls lined up and I asked what they were waiting for and they said there was a Pink concert on there tonight. We went back to the hostel and laid around and did some washing and then watched Dr Who on television in the TV lounge.

Rang Barry and arranged to visit them tomorrow at around 3pm and visit Melanie and Felicity and the children. Can’t wait!

x

Caught up with Jess and Mike at breakfast and swapped emails and said goodbye. Hope to catch up with them when we go to New Zealand next year.

Off to Carlisle today. On the way decided to detour to Hadrian’s Wall. Built by the Romans in AD122. It was the northern most frontier of the Roman Empire at the time (it also included North Africa, East Germany and Britain). If things had been different we might all have been speaking Italian. Went to a ford (Birdoswald) along the wall. A lot of the stones from the wall were taken to use in the fortifications of the walled city of Carlisle and the castle itself.

Headed into Carlisle and checked into the hotel. Off walking around the city. Saw the Citadel towers (which contain a court, prison cells, etc) built by Henry the 8th’s men. We walked to the castle. It is 900 years old and contains dungeons, a keep and some exhibitions showing military memorabilia etc. Walked back via the Cathedral (smallest in England but still fairly large) with lovely painted ceiling.

x

Woke up this moring and realized that it was the end of summer time and instead of being 8am it was only 7am. Had an extra hour in bed – wonderful!

Went into Edinburgh and found parking, went for coffee, found a freemap and then headed to Edinburgh Castle (up the hill). Waited for over an hour for tickets in the rain and wind. Then we went into the castle. It was massive and took over 2 hours to see the main bits. Stopped for a quick soup lunch and then walked the Royal Mile down the hill to Holyroodhouse Palace. This is where the Queen stays when in Scotland and where the Scottish crown jewels are kept, also she knighted Sean Connery here. It is a real working palace. We were given audio guides and walked around through the palace. It was raining again when we came out and went through the abbey but because it was a ruin and there wasn’t any roof we didn’t stay very long.

Then headed to the visitor information centre to get information on where the Argyle Backpackers was and off to Hard Rock Café (Michael collects Hard Rock pins from everywhere we go if there is a Hard Rock).

Headed to Argyle Backpacker Hostel. Caught up with Jess and Mike again. Jess came and chatted to us while we were preparing our dinner (soup again). Had a wonderful double room at the top (No 7) it is like a house and we are flatting with 20 other people – fun! Free wifi in the room so spent most of the night catching up with emails and the travel blog.

X

260 miles

Today we had breakfast with Jess and Mike. They are heading to Edinburgh and we are off to Loch Ness and Perth and then hope to make Edinburgh but not sure. Hopefully we will catch up again as they are lovely.

Took a lovely drive around the edge of Loch Ness to the Visitor Centre. It is very interesting. It takes you on a journey through the myths and actual photos and what could explain the sightings and the scientists views as well as the believers views. Then it talks about whether they would be food source for something as large as Nessie. But then leaves you to make up your own mind (why not??)

We then continued the drive along the Loch to Urqhuart Castle which is jutting out onto the Loch. The drive was fabulous and we have some lovely photos. The Loch is big enough that everyone in the world could fit into it.

We then headed to Perth and on to Glamis Castle (which is were the Queen Mum lived as a little girl). We arrived just before 4pm and were told that the last guided tour was at 4pm (phew we were lucky). It was a lovely castle and the Earl of Bowes Lyon still lives in the castle so it had a nice warm lived in feel (not like other castles we have been in). Although we are still feeling a bit ABC’d out.

It was pouring with rain so unfortunately missed out on the gardens (still have the cold and didn’t want to risk getting too wet). After we visited Glamis Castle we headed on to St Andrews. We arrived at 6pm at night and with no-one around we were able to sneek out onto the hallowed turf and Michael took a photo of me using my umbrella as a club in a bunker (exciting stuff!).

x

116 miles

Dawdled morning and did internet transfers and then headed to Inverness. The A96 has heaps of roundabouts and it took until around 3pm to get to Culloden Battlefields. They have a great visitors centre and a tour of the field. It was very interesting. Michael wondered why I had wanted to go here (especially and I’m not normally into war but we both really enjoyed it – I explained about Diana Gabaldon’s books and he understood my interest).

We then went to the Clava Stones. I had expected to see standing stones like Stone Henge and was really surprised to see 3 similar mounds to that of Bragh na Bonnie however these ones haven’t been restored like the one in Ireland. Still they were built with similar concepts and it was very interesting knowing what we knew about the one in Bragh na Bonnie.

Meet a lovely New Zealand couple Jess and Mike. They have been traveling for over 5 months and started in South America. Chatted with them in the TV room and watched TV and then off to bed.

x

187kms

This morning we left Belfast to head to Dublin.. Went on to Bragh na Bonnie (Valley of the Boyne). It was found in 1699 by a farmer looking for gold. It was damaged whilst being discovered but had also had a bit of damage prior to that. It has now been restored to its former glory. It is surrounded by white quartz. The rocks that surround the chamber weigh from 2 tonnes to up to 10 tonnes. This was all done about 1000 years BEFORE the pyramids and 500 years BEFORE Stonehenge. There is a sun box above the doorway that during the winter solstice it allows the sun to go all the way into the main chamber and lights it up. There are 3 alcoves within the main chamber and although they are not exactly sure what they were used for believe that it may have been a way to bless the bodies of the dead before they go into the afterlife. Interestingly as you walk in to the door the sun box is above your head but you steadily climb upwards and the light comes along the floor into the main chamber. There was just enough room with some wiggling to fix 20 people into the chamber and still allow the light shaft (simulates the sun’s course during the winter solstice) on the floor to travel through the gap and into the main alcove. Quite incredible.

Travelled to the airport and dropped off the hire car. Got to Ryanair checkin and did a big of bag reshuffling so no charges. Arrived safe and sound in Aberdeed and found the YHA without dramas. I went straight to bed to get over cold.

x