We caught the Leonardo Express train from Rome Termini to the airport. The trip took about 40 minutes and was a great way to see the suburbs.
Spent a restful hour in the BA lounge before our flight, which landed at Heathrow, Terminal 5; very impressive and easy to find the Tube for our trip into London on the Piccadilly Line to Kings Cross. A warm sunny day greeted us in London. Also, bit of good luck at Heathrow as when we went to purchase a ticket from the vending machine, a young couple gave us their day pass which they no longer needed and was still valid, saved us around 10 pound. It’s about an hour journey to Kings Cross station and a short walk to the YHA in Euston Road and opposite the magnificently restored St Pancras station. Back to basics on the accommodation side after being spoilt in Florence, the five star cruise, and the farmhouse in Tuscany and our Rome hotel. The Youth Hostel was comfortable and clean, however, Marilyn was not impressed with the bunk beds, even though we had our own room and an en suite. My online booking was for a double room, thinking of course either a double bed or two singles. Guess who drew the short straw and was allocated the top bunk, it wasn’t Marilyn.
Found a great little pub, the Settlers Arms, about five minute walk from the hostel. It was the typical old London local with pub grub for dinner, cheap and filling.
Day two in London and the weather had turned cold, wet and miserable. Walked to the local shopping centre and stocked up on a few supplies to keep starvation and thirst at bay. Found another cosy pub, the Boot. This was also our watering hole in 2006 and is mentioned in Charles Dickens novel “Barnaby Rudd”, so lots of history and atmosphere in this little place. Had a roast lunch here, five ponds ninety five pence, for the most tender roast lamb and beef and mixed vegetables all washed down with Guinness and wine, all around 18 pounds ($22).
The next day was still cold, but the rain kept away, so it was on the Tube to the Chelsea Flower Show. What a magnificent show for garden and flower lovers and the place was packed. This was one of the highlights of our London visit. The Australian garden, put together by the Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens, was excellent and attracted much attention. The Japanese garden was also spectacular. There were many unusual and interesting gardens designed to reflect the varied nature of the English countryside, together with international gardens. This was an absolute delight. We left the flower show and took our time wandering through the very up-market Chelsea and then back to the hostel. Feeling thirsty, we made our way to the Champagne Bar at St Pancras Station, indulged ourselves with a glass of champagne, and got chatting to a couple from Belgium who had just spent a week travelling Scotland on the Royal Scotsman train. Sounded like a wonderful trip - added this to our future travelling wish list.
Saturday we went on a free walking tour of the western side of London, which included Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, St James Palace the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. A cold day, but a very interesting and caught up on the old history lessons. The Australian War Memorial is located in Hyde Park. It’s quite large but not particularly impressive. Interestingly, it lists all the cities and towns of Australian service men and women who lost their lives during WW1 and 2. In the evening we saw the Jersey Boys at a West End Theatre, the intimate Prince Edward. This is the story and songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Wow! What a show and a great night.
We then battled our way home on the Tube, which was full of football fanatics returning from the Manchester United Barcelona Game, a scary but interesting trip home.
Sunday was rest day for Marilyn who was sick with a cold. I wandered Euston Road and Russell Square, a very quiet day. The next day it was another tube trip to Marble Arch to pick up our hire car for our trip to East Sussex and Eastbourne.
Next post from Sussex.
On the train to Rome airport
Spent a restful hour in the BA lounge before our flight, which landed at Heathrow, Terminal 5; very impressive and easy to find the Tube for our trip into London on the Piccadilly Line to Kings Cross. A warm sunny day greeted us in London. Also, bit of good luck at Heathrow as when we went to purchase a ticket from the vending machine, a young couple gave us their day pass which they no longer needed and was still valid, saved us around 10 pound. It’s about an hour journey to Kings Cross station and a short walk to the YHA in Euston Road and opposite the magnificently restored St Pancras station. Back to basics on the accommodation side after being spoilt in Florence, the five star cruise, and the farmhouse in Tuscany and our Rome hotel. The Youth Hostel was comfortable and clean, however, Marilyn was not impressed with the bunk beds, even though we had our own room and an en suite. My online booking was for a double room, thinking of course either a double bed or two singles. Guess who drew the short straw and was allocated the top bunk, it wasn’t Marilyn.
Found a great little pub, the Settlers Arms, about five minute walk from the hostel. It was the typical old London local with pub grub for dinner, cheap and filling.
Phil enjoying a Guiness at the Settlers Pub
Day two in London and the weather had turned cold, wet and miserable. Walked to the local shopping centre and stocked up on a few supplies to keep starvation and thirst at bay. Found another cosy pub, the Boot. This was also our watering hole in 2006 and is mentioned in Charles Dickens novel “Barnaby Rudd”, so lots of history and atmosphere in this little place. Had a roast lunch here, five ponds ninety five pence, for the most tender roast lamb and beef and mixed vegetables all washed down with Guinness and wine, all around 18 pounds ($22).
The next day was still cold, but the rain kept away, so it was on the Tube to the Chelsea Flower Show. What a magnificent show for garden and flower lovers and the place was packed. This was one of the highlights of our London visit. The Australian garden, put together by the Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens, was excellent and attracted much attention. The Japanese garden was also spectacular. There were many unusual and interesting gardens designed to reflect the varied nature of the English countryside, together with international gardens. This was an absolute delight. We left the flower show and took our time wandering through the very up-market Chelsea and then back to the hostel. Feeling thirsty, we made our way to the Champagne Bar at St Pancras Station, indulged ourselves with a glass of champagne, and got chatting to a couple from Belgium who had just spent a week travelling Scotland on the Royal Scotsman train. Sounded like a wonderful trip - added this to our future travelling wish list.
Japanese garden
Smelling the roses - Chelsea Flower Show
Champagne Bar - St Pancras
Saturday we went on a free walking tour of the western side of London, which included Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, St James Palace the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. A cold day, but a very interesting and caught up on the old history lessons. The Australian War Memorial is located in Hyde Park. It’s quite large but not particularly impressive. Interestingly, it lists all the cities and towns of Australian service men and women who lost their lives during WW1 and 2. In the evening we saw the Jersey Boys at a West End Theatre, the intimate Prince Edward. This is the story and songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Wow! What a show and a great night.
Oh what a night! Jersey Boys - West End London
We then battled our way home on the Tube, which was full of football fanatics returning from the Manchester United Barcelona Game, a scary but interesting trip home.
Checking the time at Big Ben
Sunday was rest day for Marilyn who was sick with a cold. I wandered Euston Road and Russell Square, a very quiet day. The next day it was another tube trip to Marble Arch to pick up our hire car for our trip to East Sussex and Eastbourne.
Next post from Sussex.
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