London – 4-27 Aug 2010
So here we are in London staying with Shelley and John in Wimbledon, near the Common but Wombleless. We have seen squirrels and a fox though!! We have been here 2 weeks and have enjoyed just chilling out. Shelley has had this week off and she and Moya have Yogaed and Pilated to their heart’s content. In case you think we have wasted our time here, we assure you we have done our bit of sightseeing, not the usual sights as we have been here a couple of times before. We went with Shelley and her charges to Kensington Park, saw the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, as well as watch the children enjoy the special Diana Memorial playground set up for them. We have wandered around Oxford and Regent Streets and worked out the transport system, which is great. Kevin had a day at the Oval courtesy of John’s father, Peter, in the Members Stand for the first day of the England-Pakistan test, and we have had a simply amazing visit to the British Museum and the Portrait Gallery. A birthday present saw us attending the Ballet, Cinderella, another amazing experience.
Last weekend the 14th August, we travelled to Stockport, just out of Manchester, to visit John’s brother, Chris, his wife Anne and their 2 children Rachel and Hannah. We took the fast train there and back. Once again we were feted and fawned upon. We have been continually amazed how people have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and to show us the gems of their area. This was no exception. Chris and Anne took us to Lyme Park where the BBC filmed Pride and Prejudice. We then climbed a rise to view the Peak District around Manchester and the moorlands. The park is also a deer sanctuary and there were plenty of deer to see. Walking around you could sense the local nobles riding to the hunt!! Rachel and Hannah were great and we enjoyed their company.
On Thursday night the 19th, we had a drink and pub meal with Gerard and Brierley, Kevin’s nephew and his wife. It was great to catch up with them after a couple of years. They are threatening to return to New Zealand this December.
Saturday 21st, saw us off to Greenwich for a BBQ with Tina, Ollie and their daughter Marley. Tina is a friend of Shelley’s from the Ballet years and we have always kept contact with her. Before we ate there was a certain game from South Africa to watch and as the two husbands were English they had to endure the over exuberant Kiwis who were very noisy at the result. The BBQ following was just great with Moya being the only one to guess the country of origin of one of the wines at the wine tasting!! (Fluke, I hear you say?!)
The next night, Sunday 22nd, was a celebration of Moya’s birthday which was not until the Tuesday but because of work commitments of Shelley and John it was agreed we should bring the celebrations forward. We started with cocktails at the OXO Centre at the top of a tower block overlooking the Thames. We then progressed to Simpsons, an iconic London eating establishment where they carve the roasts at your table. A real English event. We are told this table service was brought in to assist those playing chess, as the restaurant was the chess centre of London well over a century ago. Carving at the table meant the game could proceed uninterrupted. The Sommelier was French and when he heard we were from NZ he congratulated us on the rugby win and then reminded us of French defeats of NZ!! The dinner was followed by Sherries at Gordons, an underground bar somewhere in London. The bar is basically a tunnel and is very popular.
Tuesday 24th, Moya’s birthday, was celebrated by Kevin taking her to lunch and then a wander around Buckingham Palace, Big Ben area before a quiet family tea. Tami was first with the greetings and she and Danny have been greatly missed at the celebrations. It’s at family times like this that the absent members are really missed.
Wednesday 25th we met Alan and Jill Bickers friends from Tauranga and enjoyed lunch together. Alan and Jill are over on a trip round Europe and England travelling though Canada on the way. It was great to catch up with them and hear about their travels. They will return to NZ a couple of days before us.
Thursday 26th and yet another pub meeting this time with Trieneke and her partner Rob. Trieneke was one of Shelley’s bridesmaids as Shelley was one of Trieneke’s. We had also attended Trieneke’s wedding, so it was another catch up time. As usual there was a lot of talk and a little drinking but as we were off on our Cruise first thing 27th a peaceful night was in order.
So on Friday 27th we are off on our Cruise for 12 nights. This will be our last great adventure before we return to London for our final few nights. Then it is off to Paris for 3 nights before we return to New Zealand 20th September. Watch out for our updates on the Cruise.