While our trip to Manchester and the surrounding countryside was great, we had to return to Voila. We were expecting guests. Our daughter and her friend were arriving for a visit. What follows is a whirlwind account of the last couple of weeks.
Christine and Catherine arrive. Cars, planes, trains, Tube and feet were the means of transportation. It was time for brunch as the airplane food was nothing to write home about. The Scotch Eggs were a treat.
Sunday, Christine was off to visit with a London friend and Catherine and I headed for Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally) for the Knit and Stitch show. A trip on the Tube and the bus took us high above the city with a gorgeous view. The show was full to the brim of exhibitors selling all types of supplies for textile crafts. I petted the yarn and flipped though pattern books, but with limited space on the boat, decided to finish the projects I had. Catherine found some wonderful purchases but I will let them be surprises.
A yummy sight on our walk in London. We had agreed to meet Alan and Christine at a pub for supper so we didn’t stop.
A view of the moat around The Tower of London as we headed for home.
Monday brought a tour of the Tower of London with one of the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) Fun and informative. He obviously enjoyed his responsibilities and loved living in the Tower of London. We ooohed and awwwed at the crown jewels- no pictures allowed. We climbed and climbed to admire the suits of armour and the beautifully carved horses.
We enjoyed the changing of the guard on a small scale.
The skies had turned an ominous shade of orange. We discovered later that hurricane Irma had blown Sahara Desert sand all the way to the United Kingdom. While Ireland and Scotland were blasted with high wind and seas we had a windy day and orange skies. The photo below has not been edited in any way.
While C&C went exploring, I walked to the London Information centre to find brochures that would help Alan and I plan activities for the winter. It is in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The girls putting their feet up and keeping in touch.
Wednesday evening, while our guests went to see Kinky Boots. Alan and I attended a talk at the Cruising Association headquarters. about sailing around Ireland. The speakers did it in a 20 foot sailboat.
Another destination we are trying to fit into our plans.
One morning Alan and Christine took off for a walking tour highlighting the various haunts of the Beatles. Below is the painting that inspired St Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band.
and Abbey Road
Dinner at the Dickens Inn for our second try at fish and chips – much better.
After a final days trip to Greenwich and the Prime Meridian it was time for Christine to head back to her family with a little more baggage than she arrived with, in spite of the fact that she brought Bailey’s and two jars of peanut butter for the boat. We enjoyed having her and she is welcome any time.
Catherine was here for another week.
One morning we had a reservation to go up to the Sky Garden. 35 stories up provided a great view of the city in spite of the cloudy day.
We enjoyed our picnic and headed to the Museum of London.
A fascinating story of this huge city. Alan loved the ancient history and Catherine enjoyed the more modern displays that she could relate to.
We all found this interesting. There was also a display of the World Exhibition in 1924. My Grandmother was there and writes of her excitement in her diary that I have at home
The Fashion and Textile Museum was on the agenda for the next day. Primarily an exhibit of magazine covers and photography of magazines like Vanity Fair. We were interested to note that all of the editors of Vanity Fair have been women although most of the designers were men.
Paddington Bear is popping up all over London.
and a pit stop for Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. $$$ and ho hum.
Wednesday, just outside Embankment Tube station
The National Museum with Renoir, Monet and Van Gogh
definitely an impressive building.
During a quick trip to the local grocery store I spotted this. Guy Fawkes / Bonfire Night is coming up on the 5th of November.
This post is getting a little long… stay tuned for part 2
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