Portman Square Apartments London

... me think of Owl City, and then I just couldn't say no! We got some food there, too, and I had yummy pad thai made right in front of me. Quite delicious, even at almost 5 pounds (multiply pounds by about 2 for dollar conversion). Then we went to the Regent Street Festival, which was celebrating its 10th year. We stood in line and got free cupcakes! Abi and I got balloons and we all enjoyed the random people covered in shrubbery on the side of the street.

We all ...

... lenses in waiting for the fire brigade to give us the all clear to go back to bed. *******.

On the third attempt at crossing the Haast Pass road through the mountains towards the glaciers we had an issue with the car. One of the snow chains we’d put on had somehow loosened while were driving and the metal release clip had got flattened and caused us a problem. It was making an ugly noise and the bloody thing wouldn’t come off! Luckily we stopped to help some ...

... to the Medieval Crime Museum which shows different forms of punishments people used to receive. There were all sorts of shame masks and neck violins, which looked like a violin shape but your head went through a hole and your arms were locked up in the "finger board" area. They had dunking cages and even a flute they gave to bad musicians. They showed whips and big stones they'd make people carry. All sorts of strange punishment for both big ...

... scene of Shoreditch ...young, young, young...club-goers everywhere. We stopped at this club and joined the fun...ha, ha, just kidding. Actually we were at a red light and from the back seat of the cab, I snapped this photo of the bouncers who had clip-boarded lists they were checking. Our names weren't on the list. 

Hackney...Transition Town?

 

 

 

 

... look like it has been etched or sculpted into the ceiling. One climb up the dome up 352 steps where you are able to get one of the most beautiful views of the London skyline. Of course, I was compelled to see the view and get a workout in the process. It was beautiful and it reminded that London has stood in one form or the other since Roman times - and really I don't think that London bridge can fall down - it will survive this recession as it has stood everything else.

... just seeing where we end up! Hopefully we will be able to keep in touch and send you our blog but this all depends on my being able to find wireless on the road. Anyway gotta go still packing Randon (the motor home) Bye for now Shiks and Ned xxx

... closest stop to our accommodation and all underground! So by the time we got off the underground train, we had not yet visualised London or experienced the weather. From pre conceived ideas i imagined cold and grey and drizzly. But on getting out the underground, the sun was was out, there were small streets with nice green trees and the little buzz box black London cabs, and lots of little shops! We liked what we first saw! Welcome to London ...

... two complete strangers for twelve hours is not my idea of a good time (unless they're lithe nubile-types) but, if the aircraft made it to London I would be satisfied. After less than zero minutes sleep and an eternity of watching rubbish on the little TV screen in front of me I was grateful to finally land in the fog at Heathrow at 5am. Despite rushing out of the terminal in the vain hope of catching Michael (with whom I had arranged to ...

... friend Susie and her sister who was visiting her from Kansas. We ate outside overlooking the docks and then went to a pub called Hung, Drawn and Quartered right near the Tower to cap off the night. Day 2-My host, John and I decided to go to a market called Spitterfield, but when we got there, it was closed, so we then wandered our way via the finincial district to Covent Garden, which is another marketplace with LOADS of people and street performers, but ...

... and cuddly members of the local t@liban knitting club. Kel was nice enough to come pick me up at the airport, bless her soul. Soon she was burning my clothes as I took a much needed shower in our new digs (AUD$750 per week for a 2 bedroom apartment - BARGAIN!). After I had cleansed and restored the Zen, it was off to Stonehenge and Bath (the town, not the thing in your bathroom). Did I mention it was forcast to reach a top of 5 with a chance of snow?