Two Weddings and a pandemic.

[Pushka]

Im always amused by us aussies when we travel. We have koalas and kangaroos and platypus but get us overseas and when we see one its.....

I know. Son in UK has squirrels in his back yard. Got so many he had to put away the feeder.

Well to be fair we don't see Koalas and Kangaroos and Platypus in our city parks - just binchooks and pigeons.

But I get more excited when you see something more exotic like a Coati stealing someones lunch in Brazil.

We used to have koalas in our city yard. In fact a story about one of them and our son figures in our wedding speech that MrP is right this minute preparing. Just found a picture I took of MrP giving one a drink.







And we have had kangaroos in the street.

 

[Pushka]

While taking this photo from a bridge a person walked by with a hacking cough and breathless. Immediately MrP moved far away and I held my breath. There are people with coughs etc and we wear masks in places, even outside where it is crowded. Certainly on the subs where they are supposed to be worn but compliance is around 10%. People who are positive don't have to report or isolate. We expect to get it, just got to time it right but with four vaccinations there's nothing more we can do.

 

[Pushka]

While having an icecream by the lake we found a lost toddler whose mum was rightfully hysterical, and we people watched. We'd walked a long way after a long day the day before. Still jetlagged but that just meant tired around 8.30pm but wide awake at three. Last night was much better. Decided to re do a Thames Tour yesterday afternoon while weather was great.

 

[Pushka]

Along the way to Tower Bridge.






No advertising is allowed on the buildings over the Thames. The court ruled it was simply accidental that OXO manufacturers had incorporated OXO into their building structure.

 

[Pushka]

We stopped at Tower Bridge for 40 minutes to grab some Tesco food and drink then back to Westminster. Actually got a seat this time.

Strangely the same scenes on way back





The memorial of the Great Fire of London. The only thatch roof in London now is the replica of Shakespeares Globe theatre.



Enjoyed the alcohol and canapes in the club then off to the Pub for a meal. Being Sunday, Sunday Roast. It was ok but with Yorkshire pudding. .

Waiting to have breakfast now then off to the British Museum. BBL.

 

[RooFlyer]

Probably too late and you've walked the area AND have local guides - but I reccommend anyone able to, visit the Borough Market near Southwark Cathedral, not far from the Shard. One of the best food markets, anywhere - all the local stuff from the English countryside, from cider to cheeses to pies etc etc. Go hungry. Under the train tracks were the best stalls, although looking at Google air photo, it looks like it had a makeover.

Borough Market

Welcome to Borough Market: a historic market in central London with an emphasis on high quality food, sustainable production and social connection

boroughmarket.org.uk

 

[SYD]

Probably too late and you've walked the area AND have local guides - but I reccommend anyone able to, visit the Borough Market near Southwark Cathedral, not far from the Shard. One of the best food markets, anywhere - all the local stuff from the English countryside, from cider to cheeses to pies etc etc. Go hungry. Under the train tracks were the best stalls, although looking at Google air photo, it looks like it had a makeover.

Borough Market

Welcome to Borough Market: a historic market in central London with an emphasis on high quality food, sustainable production and social connection

boroughmarket.org.uk

Went there again twice on our recent visit. A bit manic on the weekends but fine mid week - although not all stalls operating early in the week.

 

[love_the_life]

Brought my super zoom camera today which came in handy.

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I wish.

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Those are grey squirrels - cute but they are immigrants from the US and have displaced the original red squirrels (which are cuter).
A friend and I did afternoon tea at the Ritz last time we were there - it was very noice and we felt effluent as Kim would say.

 

[Pushka]

More gifts from Hilton. We have no status but did join last week.

 

[andye]

While having an icecream by the lake we found a lost toddler whose mum was rightfully hysterical and people watched. Wed walked a long way after a long day the day before. Still jetlagged but that just meant tired around 8.30pm but wide awake at three. Last night was much better. Decided to re do a Thames Tour yesterday afternoon while weather was great.

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Very fond of the Marriott County Hall. Spent our wedding night there and scored a great river-view balcony upgrade. The newly-minted mrsandye waved her veil to the passengers on the London Eye the next morning

 

[Pushka]

So we have been three days now without a spare roll of toilet paper. Today we took the current and dwindling roll and placed it in the middle of the bathroom floor. Returned to find that roll put back on the holder and still no spare roll. We will give it another day.

Update. MrP has done an audit. We have 62 sheets left. And everyone knows one sheet isn't going to work. So 21 sheets. I have withdrawn Mr P's supply of licorice.

Philosophical question. We cannot remove any items from the Exec lounge. Eg wine glasses. Does toilet paper count?

 

[love_the_life]

So we have been three days now without a spare roll of toilet paper. Today we took the current and dwindling roll and placed it in the middle of the bathroom floor. Returned to find that roll put back on the holder and still no spare roll. We will give it another day.

Update. MrP has done an audit. We have 62 sheets left. And everyone knows one sheet isn't going to work. So 21 sheets. I have withdrawn Mr P's supply of licorice.

Philosophical question. We cannot remove any items from the Exec lounge. Eg wine glasses. Does toilet paper count?

It just seems bizarre that housekeeping doesn’t check the toilet paper. I hope you are not having prunes at breakfast either or a really spicy curry for dinner.

 

[Anna]

Are you sure the spare rolls aren't in some bizarre place like the wardrobe?

 

[LCC]

Are you sure the spare rolls aren't in some bizarre place like the wardrobe?

I always find walking past the housekeeping trolleys parked in the corridor whilst staff are in servicing rooms very opportune....

 

[Pushka]

Are you sure the spare rolls aren't in some bizarre place like the wardrobe?

There was a spare in the toilet when we arrived on this hook thing.

I always find walking past the housekeeping trolleys parked in the corridor whilst staff are in servicing rooms very opportune....

Oh yes. I checked the one in the hall last night. All it had was towels. I suspect it was the turn down service. Which we never seem to have which is no big deal. They also haven't replaced the tea nor milk from the first night so we bought our own. She came rushing into the room around 3.30pm - we'd just got back and nothing was done. She asked as she plumped up the pillows and placed them back, if we wanted the sheets changed. We didn't, and she was so grateful it was all a bit awkward. So we left her to it - but she still didn't replace the loo paper. . We won't say anything until we leave because we don't want our toothbrushes to be used to clean the toilet.....

Management needs to know because all the other staff are fabulous.

 

[Pushka]

Yesterday was British Museum and a stack of walking. Weather was patchy rainy but not cold. Used the subs to get to the museum and we are some of the few wearing masks on the sub.

It still amazes me that the Museum has been able to keep so many world treasures.











Even a chunk of rock from the sphinx

 

[Pushka]

But the main prize being this one. The Rosetta Stone. Very popular exhibit.

 

[Pushka]

We then bought a baguette from the deli there for later and walked to Drury Lane and surrounds. Covent Gardens. Gorgeous area. We saw this huge queue lined around the full block near where Mamma Mia is playing. We are off to the theatre tonight but if we have to queue like this? Turned out they were auditioning for Mamma Mia cast.



Verrrry nice.



The Markets.





I had just arrived here and taken a picture of the flags. There were buskers downstairs in the right corner apparently and I was not the least bit interested in them, just wanted to take the picture and was approached by a guy wanting me to pay for the buskers! Yeah Nah not happening. But many were downstairs listening but on the other hand they were captive at their cafe tables.

Pubs pubs pubs.








Likely China Town.

 

[Pushka]

Back to the hotel for afternoon tea



Then later, off to the Pub for tea. Yep. Gourmet food.



This morning we have tickets to Churchills War Museum and then in the evening, off to see Wicked.

 

[VPS]

But the main prize being this one. The Rosetta Stone. Very popular exhibit.
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I couldn't get near the Rosetta stone to get a photo without 10 people in it