Hi again. Another busy week and it marked the arrival of June. Yeah she is now a resident Londoner though at this stage unable to access the College computers so there will be a small delay before I can swing this deal for her as well. She has gone back to the room while I put this together.
Sunday 10th Feb saw June arrive at midday and after a coffee at the airport we headed back to Greenwich. I have to say that it took over 2 hours for me to get to Heathrow due to train services being suspended at various routes along the way. We were able to get the Heathrow express to Paddington on our return journey at no charge due to these delays which saved some time.
I check via cell ph now each time a trip is planned espec on weekends to check on what routes to take. An Oyster card was purchased at Heathrow for June and then the homeward journey began. We stopped off at a quaint wee pub in Greenwich and watched the 2nd half of rugby match ( Eng v Italy ) before a quick walk through Greenwich Market and then on to our 188 bus for the final leg to Bellerbys College and our Unit. Its a nice walk from the train station if you're in no hurry so we usually have a choice. A Bus or a pleasant walk.
A good nights sleep was required and we just talked away and re configured the Unit to cater for another inhabitant.
Monday it was back to work for me and a regular teaching day with a trip to our bank in Greenwich at luncthtime to bank some money and more orientation for June. After work we freshened up then it was onto Piccadilly Circus getting to the Comedy Store at opening time ( 6.30 pm ) for a bite to eat followed by a great show. There were 13 stand up comedians and some great laughs. We had a quick look around Piccadilly Circus before back on the trains and home around midnight.
Tuesday was work again up till 12.30 am then it was a 5 day midterm break ( incl weekend ) which saw us travel to Lille ( Northern France ) for 2 nights. June had changed some money into euro so we were ready to see France.
Took the Eurostar from St Pancras at 2.50 pm ( Tues ) arriving in Lille at 4.30 pm local time. We quickly got ourself oriented and found our Hotel ( Hotel de la Treille ) in the Old section of Lille ( Tourist zone of course ) then we were out for a walk and eventually a nice Dinner at an Italian reataurant ( Orange Expression ) dining on Pasta and Pizza. We just walked around the coblestone streets and marvelled at the beauty of this place. Our hotel had never had any NZ ers stay there before. We were their first.
Wednesday ( after breakfast of Croissants, yoghurt, cornflakes, fruit and a good ol cup of tea ) saw us see the sights of Lille ( Old and new areas ) and capture as much as we could on film which will appear at some stage I imagine on this blog ( Just watch this space folks ) Some real old buildings ( 1500 - 1800 century stuff) We took a bus tour of an hour and then did our own exploring. Some real old classical buildings, superb architecture and a relaxed and easy going lifestyle. Lille is near Belgium.
It was an enjoyable day and after freshening up we just had to visit the Aux Moules ( a well known specialist restaurant serving Mussles and chips since 1930) Lille is known for this so it was only natural to be a part of this traditional meal delight. Plenty of other Diners were doing the same. We had a good feed straight from a pot of mussels and a side dish of chips which was neat. The mussels are smaller than NZ but it was still a nice meal ( with some onions and veges within the bowl as well )
We explored some more around the city and even had a Fosters beer in ' The Australian Pub ' before retiring on weary legs for the evening. Expensive though. A pint of beer cost me 6 euro.
It was more of the same ( exploring this neat city ) on Thurs making sure we saw the Art museum ( 2nd largest in all of France ) with some great art and sculptures and all the attractions one should visit incl a small lunchtime treat at La Patisseire de Meert ( a famous landmark where President De Gaulle used to eat these crepes ) so we did the same. We were tempted to purchase clothing but the prices were too high and there are cheaper alternatives here in England so resisted that and did some window shopping before our returnward journey at 9 .30 pm.
We had just enjoyed a marvellous 2 night stay in this quaint city of 220000 citizens where 30% are students at the University and where its population is youthful. By the time we got back to London and onto Greenwich it was past midnight so some sleep was required.
Friday was a day I had planned for June to see the sights of Greenwich which we did. It was a real overcast and cold / windy day but most of our sighseeing was indoors so it worked out well. We had a good look at the Royal Navy College and saw the Painted Room and Chapel. The amazing buildings were once the home for Navy training ( Now used by Univ of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music ) as well as seeing the Queens House and the National Maritime Museusm ( amazing place ) with so much history and things to see of a maritime theme.
We were all day on our feet and totally absorbed by all this stuff that we didnt have enough time to visit Greenwich park and the Observatory which will await another day because we needed to get back to our unit in time to freshen up /get into our best gear and get to Westminster Pier for our London Showboat evening river cruise along the Thames. This was a 4 course meal and seeing the sights of London at night as well as an hour of a cabaret singer /contemporary music incl Abba with some dancing which was a real buzz. ( 7 pm - 10.30 pm ) Good value.
A great evening and just picture this for a moment. An Abba song ( foot tapping stuff ) with me and June on the dance floor as we cruise under The Tower Bridge on our return journey up the Thames. Magical stuff. An American couple said to us they liked our dancing so that made our evening. A quick walk over Westminster bridge and a glance up at Big Ben and Parliament House at night before back on the Jubilee line and home to Greenwich yet again around midnight.
Today we are planning to see some sights at Tower Bridge before heading off to see Harlequins v Worcester at the stoop which is beside Twickenham. ( I need some rugger occassionally y'see ) before some evening sightseeing at various places with Sunday being a day of more sights ( Changing of Guard I hope ) and other which is all planned to take most of the day / evening. I have planned these trips for this first week for June and all is going well.
We have taken some photos so hopefully some of these will eventually appear on this blog. Thats about it for now. I must away and get out n about We have sights and things to do. cya for now.
Sunday 10th Feb saw June arrive at midday and after a coffee at the airport we headed back to Greenwich. I have to say that it took over 2 hours for me to get to Heathrow due to train services being suspended at various routes along the way. We were able to get the Heathrow express to Paddington on our return journey at no charge due to these delays which saved some time.
I check via cell ph now each time a trip is planned espec on weekends to check on what routes to take. An Oyster card was purchased at Heathrow for June and then the homeward journey began. We stopped off at a quaint wee pub in Greenwich and watched the 2nd half of rugby match ( Eng v Italy ) before a quick walk through Greenwich Market and then on to our 188 bus for the final leg to Bellerbys College and our Unit. Its a nice walk from the train station if you're in no hurry so we usually have a choice. A Bus or a pleasant walk.
A good nights sleep was required and we just talked away and re configured the Unit to cater for another inhabitant.
Monday it was back to work for me and a regular teaching day with a trip to our bank in Greenwich at luncthtime to bank some money and more orientation for June. After work we freshened up then it was onto Piccadilly Circus getting to the Comedy Store at opening time ( 6.30 pm ) for a bite to eat followed by a great show. There were 13 stand up comedians and some great laughs. We had a quick look around Piccadilly Circus before back on the trains and home around midnight.
Tuesday was work again up till 12.30 am then it was a 5 day midterm break ( incl weekend ) which saw us travel to Lille ( Northern France ) for 2 nights. June had changed some money into euro so we were ready to see France.
Took the Eurostar from St Pancras at 2.50 pm ( Tues ) arriving in Lille at 4.30 pm local time. We quickly got ourself oriented and found our Hotel ( Hotel de la Treille ) in the Old section of Lille ( Tourist zone of course ) then we were out for a walk and eventually a nice Dinner at an Italian reataurant ( Orange Expression ) dining on Pasta and Pizza. We just walked around the coblestone streets and marvelled at the beauty of this place. Our hotel had never had any NZ ers stay there before. We were their first.
Wednesday ( after breakfast of Croissants, yoghurt, cornflakes, fruit and a good ol cup of tea ) saw us see the sights of Lille ( Old and new areas ) and capture as much as we could on film which will appear at some stage I imagine on this blog ( Just watch this space folks ) Some real old buildings ( 1500 - 1800 century stuff) We took a bus tour of an hour and then did our own exploring. Some real old classical buildings, superb architecture and a relaxed and easy going lifestyle. Lille is near Belgium.
It was an enjoyable day and after freshening up we just had to visit the Aux Moules ( a well known specialist restaurant serving Mussles and chips since 1930) Lille is known for this so it was only natural to be a part of this traditional meal delight. Plenty of other Diners were doing the same. We had a good feed straight from a pot of mussels and a side dish of chips which was neat. The mussels are smaller than NZ but it was still a nice meal ( with some onions and veges within the bowl as well )
We explored some more around the city and even had a Fosters beer in ' The Australian Pub ' before retiring on weary legs for the evening. Expensive though. A pint of beer cost me 6 euro.
It was more of the same ( exploring this neat city ) on Thurs making sure we saw the Art museum ( 2nd largest in all of France ) with some great art and sculptures and all the attractions one should visit incl a small lunchtime treat at La Patisseire de Meert ( a famous landmark where President De Gaulle used to eat these crepes ) so we did the same. We were tempted to purchase clothing but the prices were too high and there are cheaper alternatives here in England so resisted that and did some window shopping before our returnward journey at 9 .30 pm.
We had just enjoyed a marvellous 2 night stay in this quaint city of 220000 citizens where 30% are students at the University and where its population is youthful. By the time we got back to London and onto Greenwich it was past midnight so some sleep was required.
Friday was a day I had planned for June to see the sights of Greenwich which we did. It was a real overcast and cold / windy day but most of our sighseeing was indoors so it worked out well. We had a good look at the Royal Navy College and saw the Painted Room and Chapel. The amazing buildings were once the home for Navy training ( Now used by Univ of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music ) as well as seeing the Queens House and the National Maritime Museusm ( amazing place ) with so much history and things to see of a maritime theme.
We were all day on our feet and totally absorbed by all this stuff that we didnt have enough time to visit Greenwich park and the Observatory which will await another day because we needed to get back to our unit in time to freshen up /get into our best gear and get to Westminster Pier for our London Showboat evening river cruise along the Thames. This was a 4 course meal and seeing the sights of London at night as well as an hour of a cabaret singer /contemporary music incl Abba with some dancing which was a real buzz. ( 7 pm - 10.30 pm ) Good value.
A great evening and just picture this for a moment. An Abba song ( foot tapping stuff ) with me and June on the dance floor as we cruise under The Tower Bridge on our return journey up the Thames. Magical stuff. An American couple said to us they liked our dancing so that made our evening. A quick walk over Westminster bridge and a glance up at Big Ben and Parliament House at night before back on the Jubilee line and home to Greenwich yet again around midnight.
Today we are planning to see some sights at Tower Bridge before heading off to see Harlequins v Worcester at the stoop which is beside Twickenham. ( I need some rugger occassionally y'see ) before some evening sightseeing at various places with Sunday being a day of more sights ( Changing of Guard I hope ) and other which is all planned to take most of the day / evening. I have planned these trips for this first week for June and all is going well.
We have taken some photos so hopefully some of these will eventually appear on this blog. Thats about it for now. I must away and get out n about We have sights and things to do. cya for now.
2 comments:
Hi Kev, all sounding good. When are you going to get out of London and see some more of the UK? Any other parts of Europe on the radar?
Andy
Hi Dad, This sounds amazing so much to see and do just in your little area. Get on to mum with some photos, I bet the river boat ride was amazing. Keep up the great blogs as at the end of it you will have a great account of your year away.
Love you both heaps
Paul
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