Sunday - another day of rest!!

Another day of warm British weather, well not in Scotland. I phoned my Aunt & Uncle in Scotland today and it's cool on the east coast of Scotland. Yet another lazy day, enjoying the glorious summer weather. I packed my suitcase - ready for Athens and Santorini. That took up a morning and with phone calls to family in UK and Oz, visiting the local pelargonium show and catching up with friends plus planning the trip to Scotland, the day has just flown by.
I won't be taking my laptop to Santorini so if the blog is inactive for a week that's the reason..
Til next time.. xx

Those Lazy Days of summer holidays!

Enjoying the slower pace of life here in Taunton and loving the warm weather! I explored the main street in Taunton today (shopping!) and this evening enjoyed a BBQ with J's daughter and her family.
Packing my case and looking forward to my trip to Athens and Santorini.
Til next time...

Hello from Taunton

It's warm & humid here in Taunton, Somerset. Glastonbury is close by and the festival is on at the moment - no wonder it's raining!!! Wouldn't be Glastonbury without the rain.
Yesterday Rose headed off to New York and I caught the coach from Victoria Station to Taunton, it was very warm on the bus - not complaining!! just commenting. The weather is great - so nice not to have to wear jumpers and jackets.
Quiet morning here.. I did chores like unpacking and washing. I will be based her until I leave UK on August 20th. I haven't been here before, it looks a lovely town and I am looking forward to exploring.
Good to catch up my old friend from Zimbabwe - tonight J is having a dinner party, there will be 6 of us who camped together in Zimbabwe some 14 or so years ago. I am sure there will be lots of reminiscing!
I head off to Athens on Monday - not sure if I will take my laptop with me. I will have my camera and if I get a chance I will log on to the blog from an Internet cafe.
I am enjoying writing the blog, it will be a record for me when I get home. I loved London, could have stayed on for a few more days, I tr wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be, prices much the same as Melbourne
Till next time....

Goodbye London

Getting packed up ready to check out of hotel.

Last night was great! Older Georgie Fame may be, but still great.. the band too 6 talented musicians, the only disappointment was NO encore!! he finished playing and we left!

We got there early so we could get a good place to stand, probably too early. Had one horrible moment when I realised the box office was closed and we had no tickets. However the tickets were inside waiting for us! Good venue, with something on every evening.

I managed to squeeze everything back in the suitcase plus the few extra purchases!

Not sure when my next update will be. Off to Taunton at 3.30 (on coach) - staying with an old friend from Zimbabwe days, we haven't seen each other for about 13 or so years. Will be packing my bags on Sunday evening to fly to Athens on Monday, then on to Santorini on Tuesday Morning.

Til next time :)

Last night in London

Well it's the last night in London. Tonight's the night we see Georgie Fame. looking forward to it! Today we went to Harrods, the food was amazing! (prices too), it was fun. Then back to paddington for lunch before tackling the suitcases and me wondering how to get everything back in!
Yesterday was lovely we spent time at Covent gardens market and surrounding area, then went on to see the Ken Roach film "Looking for Eric". Great film high standard as usual, black humour, realistic lots to think about. We visited a couple of pubs - I love the old pubs in London I have started keeping a note of the names of the pubs. I love reading the history of the pubs

Dinner out in Paddington Dining out not expensive pretty much the same as in Melbourne.
Rose heads off to New York tomorrow and I am catching a coach to Taunton to stay with a friend.
I will be back in London on7th July to catch up with a friend
Next posting from Taunton in Somerset

What Plans for today?

Monday was a shopping day. I was going to update the blog last night but was just too tired!!Oxford Street was as busy as I remember! The shops are great, the summer fashion colours are very bright and colourful, with lots of purple, hot pinks & turquoise a real contrast after the Melbourne colours of winter. I saw the most amazing chocolates in Liberty - I resisted!! I love the London buses and it was fun to sit in the window at Garfunkels on the corners of Oxford & Regent streets watching the world go by. Pots of tea for Rose & I and banana splits with out the cream. Stops at pubs are vital in London, for a beer or tonic water, but mostly to soak in the atmosphere of a London Pub!

Carnaby Street, was interesting but I think it may have been more fun some 41 years ago!! Perhaps that was when I could wear the latest fashion? Lots of fun and interesting shops there. Evening saw us back at the hotel - it was Italian food last night. Meals are not too expensive here.

We have e booked tickets at the Jazz Club in Camden for tomorrow evening we are going to see GeorgieFame - looking forward to that!! Standing only as tables all booked out. If you are wondering who Georgie fame is here is a link to the Jazz Cafe http://www.jazzcafe.co.uk

What's on today? Maybe Covent Garden markets and then the movies. There is a new Ken Loach Film out called "Looking For Eric" a tale of redemption and fandom.

Wimbeldon's on just catching glimpses on T.V. .

Til, my next post..... :)

Hello From London

I made it! We had a good flight over, just the last 3 hours i had had enough then! Found the hotel, great location. and yes we are having fun. Both Rose and I agreed NO MUSEUMS and where did we find ourselves yesterday? At the V&A in the magnificent Raphael room listening to a Gospel Choir!! Glorious! We found a music festival and listened to Jazz at the Goethe Institute, gospel at the V&A and then music in Kensington Gardens. Walked back to Paddington from K gardens enjoying the sun, the Serpentine ducks! and speakers corner in Hyde Park. By that time a rest was needed at a pub and we enjoyed a glass of wine (outside). Going ok with jet lag!! Sleeping well. I have to pinch myself, I can't believe I am here!! Pics next time!

Packing Madly

Will it all fit in... do I really need that?

Departure day - 20th June 2009

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN!
Leave Mordialloc travelling to airport on 19th June about 10 pm to board flight :-
Emirates
Flight EK 409 20th June @0255 – arrive Dubai @11.10, 20th June
Flight EK03 20th June @14.15 – arrive London @ 18.40 , 20th June
First stop will be
Norfolk Towers
34 Norfolk Place Paddington Westminster, London W2 1QW