Lozzy

Sash and I set off for London Friday morning via Milton Keynes to meet Barbee's friends Rich and Maggie. The day started out rather foggy but by the time we got there was clear blue skies. Was nice to meet Rich and Maggie and we enjoyed a nice lunch and chat. We then made our way into London to our hotel near Heathrow. After checking in we headed for the train into London. Arrived at Waterloo Station then set out on foot to take on the streets and sights of London. It was the blind leading the blind...lol. but we managed somehow to cross the Thames and onto The Strand. London was a buzz on a Friday evening with most workers enjoying a beer or 2 in the several pubs. They overfill here with several out drinking on the street. We walked all the way up the The Strand and into Fleet Street. After passing St Pauls Cathedral we walked down along the riverfront, where amazingly Lozzy stumbled across an Aussie Pub...lol Well of course just had to stop and have a drink...lol. We then walked some more to find food...lol and then back to the Station for the train ride back to hotel.

Saturday, after an early night and all refreshed again we hopped on the train once more and back into London. We walked to Trafalgar Square, then down The Mall past Admiralty Arch on way to Buckingham Palace. We passed St James Park where the horses were out on parade, met up a with a couple of furries.....lol but couldn't get a smile outta em...no wayyyyy !!!! Yep I met a London coppa too....he did manage a smile...lol. On arriving at Buckingham Palace, and awaiting the Queen's greeting...lmao yeah I'm still waiting !!!!! One thing about this country it's bloody expensive.... and I couldn't believe it...they even charge ya to pee !!!! Yep all the public restrooms you gotta pay to pee.... unreal !!!!

After leaving Buckingham Palace we headed back to Trafalgar Square and met up with Ros aka littlekitkatuk. Started out on foot again to explore some more, went down Whitehall towards Downing Street to visit Number 10. Geez they even have that blocked off these days with huge black barred gates and patrolled by coppas carrying machine guns.....lol what on earth is this world coming too ????....lol

Well after that disappointment lol, we boarded the double decker bus and did a tour of the rest of the city. Passing Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, Covent Garden, and over all the bridges crossing the Thames, including Tower Bridge, then Tower of London and several other places we had already done on foot.

After doing the full circuit we then jumped aboard for a cruise of the river down to Greenwich Village. Then returned as the sun was setting with very picturesque views of the city.

We all had a full on day and was nice to finally catch up with you Ros, thanks for coming in to meet us.

Spent Monday catching up on league things at Sash's, before getting ready to hit the road again. Thanks so much Sash for putting up with me for so long, and being a great travel companion. Hope Saffie is missing me too...lol

30th Sept - Worcester to Sudbury - 170 miles

Sash finally got rid of me..lol. I set off for Sudbury to visit Shaz aka bikermum and hubby Carl aka bikerdude. I arrived there a little early so parked in town and walked the streets for a few. The Church in the main street was just another of the beautiful churches this country has.

I arrived at Shaz and Carl's mid afternoon, was great to finally meet you both. We spent the night just chatting away and catching up on old times. Thanks to you both for dinner and a nice relaxing evening and letting me stay.

1st Oct - Sudbury to London via scenic route...lol - 259 miles

I headed south from Sudbury towards Dover, just had to see those white cliffs. Not really expecting to see what I did, sure enough they are truly white !!! The Dover Castle was also a sight to behold. Standing on the cliffs and looking out across the channel to France, I did debate for a few minutes to drive the tunnel and back, but chose to take the coast road to Hastings instead. The countryside is really pretty and the small villages are something else rich with historic buildings. I had spent all day driving and finally got checked in a hotel and just crashed.

Today I took the train back into London to visit on foot the places I had seen from the bus tour at the weekend. First was Convent Garden and took a moment to take in some street theatre. The guy I saw was from New Zealand travelling the world earning a dollar or two performing, he was very entertaining too. Then onto Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, I then made my way to Westminster Abbey to do the tour inside. Sorry peeps no photography allowed inside :( I was in awe just standing inside the abbey, all the tombs and graves of such famous people of the past and the architecture of it all was amazing. I did take a moment or two on leaving to light 2 candles and placed them side by side for my Mum and Dad in their memory and I left the abbey with those candles burning knowing full well they have both been watching over me my whole trip. Was quite a touching moment for me. I then made my way back past Big Ben and the Parliament buildings, there are so many statues and monuments in this city, then back along the river front to the bridge to cross back to Waterloo Station for the train trip back to the hotel.