Some Local London Sights

This weekend I stayed around London, Saturday went to the Portobello Rd Market, it runs the entire length of Portobello Rd, lots of fruit and veg stands and lots and lots of antique shops, then wondered into Kensington Gardens. Check out the Diana Prince of Wales Memorial children's park, walked past Kensington Place, then to the Serpentine Gallery - went in side to check this out, all the picture were of color blocks all done in different colored blocks. Very different, The outdoor structure was very interesting. Then to see the Diana Prince of Wales Memorial fountain. It was different than I expected but very nice. This was in Hyde Park. So got to see both parks in one day, then walking back to the Marble Arch, came across some kids having riding lessons in Hyde Park. Was an interesting day. Back to my flat for a few hours, then off to dinner with Janine and Larry, this time we tried out a Mexican restaurant on Leicester Sq. It was okay, had great Marquita's, the food was OK, but I've had much better Mexican food, but the best so far here. However the service sucked.... Sunday, forgot about setting back the clocks.. I was off to met Keiron and Michael for lunch in Soho, then to check out the Fortnum & Mason store. What a cool store, it is an upscale small department store, maybe not department store has it doesn't have clothing but lots of other really great and expensive stuff. We walked down Bond street to Oxford street and took a wonder thru House of Fraser. Then headed home, that was a chore, as the tube line I needed was suspended due to a signal failure, so had to take the bus, um.. got close so only had to walk from Hampstead Heath, which was to fare, about 15 minutes. So did pretty good just took a lot longer.

The Times BFI London Film Festival

Tuesday 21st Oct - Walked the red carpet on Tuesday night. Was invited to a red carpet movie premier at the Odeon theater in Leicester Square. American Airlines hosted us for this evening, to introduce the film was in person live Penelope Cruz. It was a Woody Allen film called Vicky, Christina Barcelona. A romance comedy that was very good. We walked up the red carpet outside to go in the theatre, then on each seat was a bag of popcorn, candy bar and bottled water. Was a great film and an exciting evening. Lots of camera and people outside standing around to watch all the important people enter. We attended an after party also, very posh and nice, but no one of any great importance attended. It was a great evening out.

Thorpe Park - Roller Coasters anyone?

Went to Thorpe Park today with Keiron and his friends. Was a great day, there were about 10 of us altogether, Keiron, Jackie and Gillian I work with, the others were friends of Phil & Keiron's. We met at Waterloo station this morning at 9:15,took the train to Staines station then a bus to the park. Collected our tickets and we were off to a day of queuing (lines) and roller coaster. Our first one the Colossus, we were in line for 3 hours, ugh - way to long, after that one we bought fast track ticket for all the ones that we wanted to go on. Yes, I did a number of the roller coaster. Was a fun day, we were all pretty tired coming home on the train, all that fresh air and adrenaline. Very enjoyable day arrived home about 10pm.

Richmond and Kew Garden

What a great, guess I can't complain in regards to the weather, as this weekend has been outstanding, sunny warm days. I venture to the town of Richmond today. Walked thru the town and down to the waterfront along the Thames. What a great view, lot of people sitting out along the water and at all the cafes along there. I walked along the Thames path up to Kew Gardens, it was 2.5 miles, but what a great walk, it was alongside the river with the boats going by, trees changing colors and the rowers out practicing. Got some great pictures. Went to Kew Gardens, but not inside as was a little expensive to go in and it was already late in the day. Then back home via the tube.

Winchester

It is Saturday again, a beautiful one at that the sun is out which makes a nice day. I took the train this morning from Waterloo to Winchester. Winchester used to be the capitol of Britain many, many years ago. A charming town, walked the high street, went into the Winchester Cathedral. Which was pretty impressive, the setting is great, lots of green around it. Walked up to St Giles hill which gave a great view of the town and the changing colors of the trees. On the way back stopped at the City Mill which is still a working flour mill, they were actually milling flour today, so saw the water wheel and grinders actually working. Walked up high street to West gate, which is the remaining old gate to the city, had a small museum and you could go up top (watch the small door on onto the opening) and view the high street. Then on to the Royal Hall,Roundtable and the ruins of Winchester Castle. Was a very interesting town. Then headed back to London for the evening.

Oct 4th & 5th

No pictures this weekend. After being gone to France and Belgium, stayed pretty close to home this weekend. Did some local shopping and ventured out to a craft store (yes) thought I would check out what they had. I went to the town of Watford to the the Hobby Craft store. Which reminded me of Hobby Lobby, but on a much smaller scale. They did have some cool craft things. Then wondered around the town and the shops, it was raining so not a real good day to be out. Stayed tuned for the next day trip!

Brussels - Brugge - 28Sep-30Sep

Now we are in Brussels, it was a 90 minute train ride from Paris to Brussels. We took a cab to the hotel, checked in. Talked with the concierge about a map and recommendations of things to see. He suggested the sightseeing bus, which we could get on around the corner and he sold us our tickets, so that worked. As it was already late afternoon, we took the bus for the entire tour so that we could see it all, nice city, lots of old building. We picked out the places that we wanted to return to on Tuesday. Had dinner and then back to hotel. Tried the Belgium beer called "Maas, was very good, we both liked it, I also had a Flemish dish at dinner which was excellent. On Monday we took the train to Brugge, an hour ride, took the bus to the visitors center, picked up some maps and information on the city. It was raining when we arrived, but cleared off and we had another sunny day. What a quaint city, the square was huge, with massive old building all the way around, cobblestone streets which lead off of it, to bridges that went over the various canals. Brugge is called "Venice of the North". We walked most of the city according to one of the walks recommended at the visitors center. Oh course we kept getting off track by the many cool shops and of course all the chocolate shops. Not sure that I have ever seen that many or that much chocolate ever. They smelled so good when you went in.
We tried a Belgium waffle as a snack, as they aren't breakfast food there, they are more like a dessert served with chocolate, strawberries, sugar and various other toppings. We had a great day exploring, shopping and spending money. Headed back to Brussels around 6pm, had a lite snack upon returning then back to the hotel to rest.
Tuesday morning we woke to a rainy, cold day, but didn't stop us. We went to breakfast then walked thru the main square and shopping areas, say the statue of the little boy peeing which you have to see if your in Brussels. We check out some shops and found some chocolate covered strawberries that we had to have. Then headed back as it was not a very nice day weatherwise, so headed back to London a little early. Gave us time to relax here and go out to dinner, as Phyllis was leaving on Wednesday and I had to go back to work.
Really enjoyed having her here and we had a great time.

Company - Yeah! - Paris - Sep 26th

This has taken me a few days to update. But here goes. On Thursday the 25th Phyllis arrived from Kansas City. Met her at the airport, took the tube back to my place, then went out to show her around the Hampstead area and have dinner. Oh and had to find some hair curler as we burned up her hair roller when we plugged it in. It really smelled and had to throw it out. Friday morning (early) we took the Eurostar train to Paris. What a great city (I know I was just there a few weeks ago), however there is so much to see and do. We checked into our hotel The Westin Paris, very nice and right by the Louvre. Then off to explore, first to the Louvre as it was righ there, we wanted to see the Mona Lisa - well we did after walking miles in the museum, lots of interesting things - then there it was, a very small portrait on a very big wall,and lots of people around. We went thru Napoleon's apartment also, it was cool, then we couldn't find out way out (very big) we did finally. It would take you weeks to see all that is in there. Then we got on the sightseeing bus (hopon/hopoff) and we were off to see the sights. We got off at the Eiffel Tower, stood in line to go up in it. Not to long to wait, then an trip up and up.. It is really amazing how big it is, the view was awesome from the 2nd level, got some great pictures, however the wind was blowing so was a little cool. Then back on the bus to the Concorde, where we got off and walked to the hotel, got our room, then went out to dinner - got a recommodation from the conceige, it was a great french resturant, really good food. Then a look a the Eiffel Tower at night it was blue, it really is pretty impressive. Saturday morning we were off to Notre Dame, had breakfast down by it and then went inside, it is amazing inside and lots of stain glass. We then walked along the Seine and looked a all the booths (painter) along the way. We then got on the sightseeing bus to go out to the Sacre d'Cour, had to take Phyllis there, she even climbed all the steps up to it. Then around to the painter square, where we saw all the painter painting and selling their work, also the ones wondering around that want to do your portraits. We had crepes and tea there and went in all the cool little shops. Then headed by to the hotel, relaxed a little then out to dinner, another recommendation - was good. We walked to the Louve and the Seine after dinner to see it at night. Very pretty.
Sunday morning we packed and checked out, after breakfast took a cab to Nord station to catch our Thalys train to Brussels.