Hmmmm...

Have lots of photos to load...but problems with site...watch this space!! Off to Winchester on the train today and a tour of the cathedral...and then a spot of shopping...!

Where has Charles been...

Well what a busy few days it has been!! Two days in Edinburgh, then up to Dunblane to meet family :) very special...a quick tour of Dunblane village and then off to Stirling to see Stirling Castle. I am loving the castles!
While we were in Edinburgh we visited a couple of old houses restored to how life was like in the 1500's and in the early 1800's.
While at Stirling Castle started to make sense of the history of Scotland...like the Battle of Stirling Bridge. saw the huge monument to William Wallace. Need to come back to learn more!!

Edinburgh Castle

People have lived on this site for thousands of years. The view over the city was amazing, explored everywhere including seeing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the dungeons under the castle. For a lot of it's life it has been a military base at one stage over 1000 soliders were stationed there.
The oldest part is St Margaret's chapel which dates back to 1036 (I think!)

The air was cold and the view was amazing!

Scotland adventures...Edinburgh

On the train! What an adventure!! Took nearly 4 hours from London but the time went fast. Saw the countryside change then the sea and there we were.

Nice cup of tea and from the buffet car helped the journey pass quickly.

Then the FABULOUS view of Edinburgh Castle and Old town as we arrive...what a place!

Thursday out and about...

The Imperial War Museum... this was a great experience.
Amazing displays of all the things involved in with war. Interesting facts, figures, pictures all to remind you of the sad side of war, but also to honour those soldiers and people who died.

As part of today we also got to see my Granddad's war diary, that was very special. A handwritten account of life as a Japanese prisoner of war.

Then off on the double decker bus and sightseeing around London!! So many things to see! so many things to do!

Inside the Palace

Inside the walls are covered with huge tapestries or fabric or fantastic paintings. Everywhere you look there is something to see!

Hampton Court Palace

This palace really looks like a royal palace as soon as you arrive.

A quick check

of the map and we were off to collect our audio guide and velvet robe...although I had size issues...

The kitchens were first on the list to see...incredible! The staff would often have to cook for for up to 1300 guests. Once the spits were loaded with meat they weighed as much as the person who had to stand next to the hot fire turning them...no electricity in those days!

There was a fish kitchen...which also cooked goose as people thought they were born at sea and therefore were fish... hhmmm....!!!

The pie kitchen would make a HUGE pot of meat then fill pie cases with the meat, bake and serve. No one ate the pastry though, it was just to hold the filling!

Milk to the door!

How very groovy!! The milkman comes along in his electric truck and delivers milk to the door.

Shopping Day

Well! what fun a day at the shops went to Selfridges with the LARGEST shoe boutique in the world!! Oh the choices!!! Oh the prices!!!!

Then out and about on Oxford Street, Bond Street. People everywhere, buses, cars had to keep my wits about me! Finished off with a visit to the tea shop then home on the busiest train perhaps in the world!

Monday

What a great day! Home now for a cup of tea and catch up. Still trying to spot squirrels in the garden...only one so far and no sign of the neighbourhood fox...but I have my eyes out for him...!

National Gallery

It has been a day of dreams come true!! First the Crown Jewels then paintings by the masters! need a cup of a tea and lie down to cope! Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Monet, Van Gogh and that was just the rooms we went into! AMAZING!!! Have booked in a whole day for here next time.

What a fantastic collection of art spanning such a wide time frame. Paintings from the 1500's to around the early 1900's.

Hard to pick a favorite....

Tower of London

The Tower of London was founded by William I 1066 - 1067. Edward I completed the outer wall in 1285. it has been a royal palace, prison, mint, menagerie, jewel house, place of torture and execution and an arsenal!

The Crown Jewels

The crown jewels!!! All my life I have wanted to see these, and today was the day! No photos of course in the most secure part of the Tower but I have a few little trinkets to take home. The jewels themselves are the most beautiful selection, just glowing on their special velvet cushions. Oh to be allowed to try on a crown!

This is the guard at the entrance.

Last Market of the day...

Was soooo tempted with this jacket, perfect to wear to see the crown jewels tomorrow...

More markets...

Market Adventures

Flowers, flowers and more flowers at Columbia Flower market today. The excitement of it all, stall holders yelling, beautiful flowers for sale, great shops along the side and all types of people...!!!

Sunday morning...markets calling

Another good sleep. Just planning the day and catching up on the news. Off to see markets today and find cafes that sell good NZ style coffee...not easy I'm told but I have expert tour guides!

Phone home...

Just a quick call home to check all is well! Been a busy day but pretty exciting.

London Fashion Week

London Fashion week and I was there! Famous models, fashion people, photographers...what a crowd! Felt a little underdressed didn't have my high heels on! but it was a very exciting moment!

Day Two

Big day out in London City today, started at St Paul's which was lovely, I went inside to light a candle. Outside we had a picnic and then went over the Millennium Bridge. On the other side was the Globe Theatre, Shakespeare used to have his plays performed here. Afterwards I thought I might refresh with a icecream... on the way to the Tate Museum of Modern Art I met Jordan an artist. I have made a lot of friends as I have had my pictures taken :)

Inside the Tate was very exciting. I saw paintings by a lot of famous artists including Picasso. Upstairs we could look out over the Thames and back towards London.

Greenwich...Day One

Today was my first day out on an adventure in London. We went to Greenwich and stood on the meridian line was a really big queue of people so I snuck down low...! some surprised looks but there I am!

The Adventure has started!!

What an adventure! Hours in the sky then a short stop at Hong Kong...only time for a short stretch of my legs and a little sit down...then back on the plane....12 more hours to go....

Countdown!!!!

As I write this there is only 3 more sleeps until my big adventure to the UK begins!!! Bag is nearly packed! How exciting!!