I’m first generation Australian and my Mum and Dad (as teenagers) migrated to Australia from England in the 1960’s. I so wanted to go to London and explore the English countryside, spending ages researching and designing a ‘must do’ itinerary.
I couldn’t believe I was actually in the UK – arriving in Heathrow on 25th September 2012 at 8.30 pm. We were met at the airport by Chris who is married to my Mum’s cousin Lynne and who we had hosted on their Australian holiday a few years before. Could we recognise him? Yes, no worries at all as he knew our voices and saw Scott straight away.
Tired but with a second wind on its way, we drove down the motorway to Kenley in Surrey where Lynne and the boys were waiting for us. It was so great to see them and we all kept saying we can’t believe we are here! Chatting late into the night we were really looking forward to exploring London the next day.
Chris very thoughtfully had arranged to have the day off (26.9.12) and act as our tour guide so around 9.30 – 10.00 am we headed down to the Purley train station and caught a train into London Bridge station. Emerging from the station, we walked down to the Thames and got the view we had seen only on TV of London Bridge.
Walking across Tower Bridge we headed to the Tower of London, where Jessica bumped into her friend from school – what are the chances of that! The crown jewels was an amazing display, legend says that the kingdom and the Tower will fall if the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress so a pic of the ravens and a photo with a guard plus of the Queen’s House is a must.
Back across London Bridge, past Shakespeare’s Globe, quick cut throughBorough Market, lunch was a posh fish finger sandwich at the Founders Arms with great riverside views. Next stop was a ride on the London Eye where you can put the Thames and iconic views into perspective, especially across to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Westminster Bridge is the place for a photo and parliament in the background and took us across to Westminster Abbey. Scott and I had a quick chat, “…what do you think, and should we go inside?” I’m so glad that we decided to get a ticket and have a look as this place is amazing and in many ways indescribable – you have to go there!
Along Parliament Street and Whitehall, to 10 Downing Street we peered through the gates and walked through Horse Guards Parade, over Horse Guards Road and into the delightful St James’s Park complete with squirrels. Past the lake and out onto the Mall,Buckingham Palace appears, we walked through Australia Gate and across in front of the palace gates which feels unreal whilst we watched the guards march back and forth.
A train ride from Victoria station to Purley station, a quick stop at Tesco’s which is so cheap and then a lovely family dinner and drinks – thanks Lynne and Chris Castle xx.
Here’s the photos of London Day 1 – and this was the update:
“?2nd day in London today, 1st day we went to Tower Bridge, Tower of London, South Bank pub for lunch, London Eye, parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing St, Horse Guards, St James Park and Buckingham Palace, train home, Tesco’s and family dinner, I ?London!”
Written by Wendy Perry, Innovator | Thinker | Speaker | Writer