English adventures May/June 2008

Thank you but I keep a diary when I travel Michael....just a few words are enough to bring back the memories of days and weeks. And I find later that a certain time in a sunny day brings to mind an English summer's day. I don't think I was brave to travel on public transport....millions do it every day...plus it gives you a better understanding of the country and people.
I'd love to write a book about my travels but it'd never sell....to boring I fear!

LONDON:

I caught the 9.45am train from Canterbury to Victoria which pulled in around 11.30am. Checked into a special B&B with London Home-to-Home where I was able to stay 5 blocks (10 minutes stroll) from Harrods and 6 blocks from the V&A for around £240 for 3 nights!

I spent my first afternoon in the V&A which was a 10 minute stroll from where I was staying. All I can say is it is heaven on a stick for those who love fabrics, architecture & furniture! It was also lovely to see “in the flesh” so-to-speak, the wonderful amethyst necklace of Edith the Marchioness of Londonderry. I’d read a biography of her life earlier in the year. And OMG the white room or music room from Norfolk House http://collections.vam.ac.uk/objectid/O11094 It is exquisite!

I took a walk through Hyde Park and smelt the roses in the rose Garden…so lovely. I then went on to Manchester Square to see the Wallace Collection. WOW!!!!! It is absolutely amazing; four Landseer’s, 2 Gainsborough’s, a Reuben’s, 2-3 Van Dykes and lots of wonderful Serves porcelain as well as a magnificent collection of arms and armour. All set within the wonderful Hertford House. I will be back there again!

I spent almost an entire day in the British Museum. So next time I’m in London my poor husband doesn’t have to be dragged through there. I saw the Rosetta Stone, another thing ticked off my to-do list. I saw a Michelangelo drawing, scores of long forgotten silver and gold coin and other copper, brass, gold and silver treasures. But the thing I wanted most to see was a rather worn creamy grey pebble that most would just dismiss as of no consequence; an Oldowan Chopper that is 1.8 million years old from Olduvai Gorge Tanzania! The first step in a long road of technological innovations that led humans from the plains & deserts of Africa to every corner of this planet and beyond. That one piece of volcanic basalt is worth more than any gold or diamonds to meJ

I also wandered into Selfridges during their sale; tried on lots of lovely shoes and handbags BUT I didn’t buy any. I did buy a Hanro nightgown at Harrods. There’s only one boutique in Oz, that I know of, that sells Hanro so what I got was a bargain. I spent my last day in London back in Harrods and along the Brompton rd buying last minute presents and stocking up on chocolate for the trip before a long stroll back to my B&B to finish packing.

I roamed around Knightsbridge and Kensington and saw some lovely architecture and some wonderful cars. The owner of the pearl white Lamborghini parked on the corner of Walton Street and Pont street Mews may have been concerned ‘cos after I’d admired it two to three times  a day for 3 days running as it was moved…LOL!  

So I caught my final cab to Paddington and the train out to Heathrow for the plane back to Melbourne. Spent my last ££’s on more Portmeirion china at Harrods there then sooked my heart out all the way across the channel…..sulked the rest of the way and bit the head off a customs officer when we landed at Melbourne. And are now planning my/our next trip. I must say that I don’t know why I was so scared about travelling through London. It’s a beautiful city and I cannot wait to get back and explore moreJ