My First TR: 21 Flights in 28 Days

[exceladdict]

We did do Madame Tussaudes quite briskly but were confident we'd seen everything, so it was time for breakfast at the cafe on the opposite corner. We had a smoothie and a toasted sandwich.




I quickly started ticking off Monopoly-sounding Streets (or in this case, stations).





I did like how the streets even warned you where you needed to look. And because it's written on the road, you might even notice it while looking at your smartphone.






The day in London was looking good and we were keen to tour.





We found one interestingly named shop, "Please Mum". Now, this was either please mum, as in buy her presents, or please mum, a good pun on kids asking for things. Having already bought my mother a souvenier, we didn't stop by.

 

[exceladdict]

After ticking off a second street,




We found a store that we'd heard good things about and thought we'd duck in.





Now, while we had no way of knowing whether this was the equivalent of a Forever 21, Target, Myer or Best 'n' Less, let's just say we needed to buy an extra bag to carry the stuff in. It did have a cool picture of London inside the store.




Third street down, we were on our way back to the hotel to check out.





We asked the staff to hold on to our bags, and were free to explore London in the daytime once again. First we saw Hyde Park Corner.

 

[exceladdict]

Then, to speed things up, we hired some bikes to tick off some sights.




And that we did.







There was a lot to see but we made good time.





Footpaths were busy as we got closer to the Thames.

 

[exceladdict]

Casting our eyes across the Thames, we saw an eye staring back at us.



Not long after this we were accosted by two mimes who grabbed our handlebars and held our brakes on. I had to be quite firm in pushing against them to let me go, but the second one persisted on holding my wife's handlebars as we went. Unfortunately, using the Barclays bikes and taking snaps, we looked like tourists; but we would have none of that and they didn't get anywhere near our money.


After not long, we were back to the list;





And saw quite the pillar,



Before a motorcade briefly caused us to pause.




Tinted windows meant we didn't see inside. Someone important I presume.

 

[exceladdict]

We passed through an archway before dropping our bikes back near Hyde Park Corner.



Walking back past the Buckingham Palace Grounds, we realised just how big - and secure - they were.





After a short walk we found this bar but unfortunately they were not serving food as it was only 4pm or so.




So we ended up at a Wagamama nearby and I enjoyed an interesting Katsu-chicken-curry.





My wife's Yakisoba was well received however and we were recharged and ready to check out some more stores.

 

[exceladdict]

We briefly stopped through a store, which I can't remember what it was called, but it was cool to see another thing called something different - in this case the cashier:




And then it was time for a store that I've been told you just have to see at least once, as you can get anything there.





I realised that was quite literal as we walked from one room, with 50,000 pound watches, to a nearby one that sold five pound lemons.


Feeling the effects of a large meal we needed a pick me up, so grabbed a coffee across the road before heading through Hyde Park towards Oxford Street.


It was a bit overcast by now but Hyde Park was beautiful.

 

[exceladdict]

Although I'm irrationally terrified of squirrels.





We soon saw another archway,




before finding a store we'd gotten to know well through a TV show of a similar name.




We had a good browse around there and up and down Oxford Street in general, before heading back towards Park Lane for the last time, and coming across this store. I saw the sign first, before seeing any shoes; and thought it was pronounced "skuh" as opposed to "shoo". That was embarrassing.





Back at the hotel for the last time we rested amongst the tuxedos and gowns for a little while, before heading back down the long escalators to the underground with LHR as our destination.

 

[exceladdict]

The trains came every 5 minutes or so - interchanging between a domestic train and one going to the Terminals, with the terminal trains themselves alternating between 5/1/2/3 and 4/1/2/3 respectively. Lucky for us, while the first three trains were jam-packed, the 4/1/2/3 train (which was the fourth train that came) was quite empty and so we fit on, with our three suitcases, two backpacks, shoulder bag and handbag fit on comfortably; albeit attracting a few glances. And off to the airport we went.





Next Up: Hilton at London Heathrow Terminal 4

 

[24601]

What a fantastic report, thanks! Enjoying it very much.

 

[coolkid101]

i have an almost identical picture on my computer of that selfridges sign from 2 years ago... sure brings back memories... great job on the TR

(oddly i always seem to think of pret a manger everytime anyone talks about london - we must've had it too many times when we were there)

 

[exceladdict]

i have an almost identical picture on my computer of that selfridges sign from 2 years ago... sure brings back memories... great job on the TR

(oddly i always seem to think of pret a manger everytime anyone talks about london - we must've had it too many times when we were there)

I've seen pret-a-manger in lots of places in the world but have never sampled. Something about it's name makes me not want to go in there but I have no idea why. Is it just a café?

 

[PLANT]

The glances were probably thinking...another Convict going live in Australia with their worldly possessions!

 

[coolkid101]

yeah. it's quite good really. clean. cheap (coffee was 2AUD for a good cuppa). and everything appeared freshly made.. great tasting food for sure. we ate there for brekkie almost every day for a week. always something different to try. would definitely put a lot of aussie cafes to shame.

I've seen pret-a-manger in lots of places in the world but have never sampled. Something about it's name makes me not want to go in there but I have no idea why. Is it just a café?

 

[exceladdict]

32: Hilton at LHR Terminal 4


There wasn't much literature online at this relatively new Hilton hotel at LHR Terminal 4, so I thought I'd try to take a few pictures to contribute. The hotel is "Directly linked to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 via a covered walkway", according to the Hilton website.




Yeah, so with all the bags I described earlier, it was quite a walkway.





At least it was enclosed, and I'm quite glad I used a baggage trolley at the terminal. It ends at the front of the hotel - but not directly into the lobby.





You would get wet here if it was rainy and windy. This road comes up to line up with just after you exit the tunnel.





We were on I think level 5, which used to be the executive floor. Level One I think is the new HHonours floor.

 

[exceladdict]

The bed was nice,




Room was nicely styled,





and had a good desk. Decent size room for an airport hotel.





Complete with full size mirror.

 

[mimishat]

Awesome TR! Just spent the last few hours reading it Good idea on the tunnel - shame it doesn't go all the way into the hotel.

 

[exceladdict]

The shower was nicely styled, and had a fan; always a bonus for a hotel.




Supplies in the bathroom were good and on request, razors and toothbrushes were brought up.





I took a short walk around the hotel for more reporting. Gym was well equipped.





Restaurants were nice, it was a two towers of rooms with facilities in the middle type of hotel. Pool was too, but there were people in there so no pictures.





This is the check in desk and lobby.

 

[exceladdict]

Then, with the money saved on a taxi fare, we ordered room service. We originally asked if they could do chocolate milkshakes and were told no. Then, when it was delivered, we were not only given milkshakes but we were told they were on the house! I was quick to send on a compliment to management.




After a good night's sleep, we were up at 5am to make our 8am flight out of LHR. Unfortunately, we'd have to leave this nicely styled hotel without sampling the breakfast.





I spotted these cars the previous night and naturally enquired if I could grab a ride to the terminal. At the time I was told I had to ask concierge in the morning, which we did. The poor guy was looking after a number of customers at once but nonetheless promised us a ride in a few minutes. And 5 minutes later, we departed for the terminal; which was only 2 minutes away on the buggy.





It did look funny loaded up with our baggage (not pictured).


Ultimately, a good hotel for an overnight stay, which is all that it was.


Next Up: LHR T4 & the QR Lounge

 

[PLANT]

Did you tip the guy in the buggy?
Is that a milkshake or milo?
Did you tip room service delivery person?
Can you request the buggy pickup from LHR?

 

[exceladdict]

Did you tip the guy in the buggy?

Yes, 5 pounds, it was the only GBP/Euro I had left other than a 50. However I'm quite lazy and happy to pay for the convenience so would have paid 5 for it anyway.

Is that a milkshake or milo?

A hybrid. Chocolate flavouring was definitely using milo but there seemed to be ice cream and it was adequately frothed.

Did you tip room service delivery person?

Yes. 2 Pounds.

Can you request the buggy pickup from LHR?

I didn't ask, but my gut feeling says yes. Always depends if you get a concierge person in a good mood. Website does not mention buggy transfers.