My homeward journey begins

After a rather late night, this morning came around quite quickly. I looked outside the window to find a most glorious day once again. I had a brief breakfast, shared with Linda, her brother and sister in law. They are all such wonderful people.

My breakfast perners were off to a wedding today. Their daughter's friend was continuing the ritual of her wedding to a Sheik. A ceremony took place in the Cotswolds last weekend and another was to be held in the Nottingham area today. Apparently the whole thing would have cost close to £60,000.......!

My lovely host, Linda was very kind to drive me to the Railway Station. It was sad to say goodbye, but we will definitely keep in contact.

The train ride was very interesting. It was a chore to drag my suitcase and other bags onto the train and then also afterwards. The platform that I needed required me to go up and over on the bridge. I started to drag my bag up the stairs. I could not help but think of the time that Dave and I were in Monaco and Dave had tweaked a muscle in his back. That meant that I had needed to deal with the baggage all by myself. There is no way I could have done that here! It was lucky that a kind man helped me out by lifting the bottom of the bag. When we got to the top of the stairs, he told me that there was a elevator! I was most thankful for his help and his information.

It's was also tricky getting onto the train. The trains here are fast, but not as user friendly. I had to open the door of the train by myself, then lift my bags up a small step. We are most spoilt with the vline at home with no step and no gap.

It was an interesting hour and a half ride. There was a group of eight men in the seats in front of me. They must have got on the train firther up the line. They had a slab of Fosters Lager sitting on the table which divided them and one group were playing cards. I was in need of speaking with the lady who I was supposed to sit next to. As soon as I started to speak, they men stopped playing cards and pricked up their ears. I wondered if they thought they were in a Fosters ad! I ended up sitting in the spare seats across the aisle and had fun listening to their banter in their Northern accent. The slab of beer was finished by the time we arrived at Kings Cross Station at 10:40am. I imagine they were on the way to the football.

 

When I got off the train, I was filled with awe and excitement about being in one of most visited cities in the world. I got to the outside and lined up to get a taxi. The driver was lovely when we arrived at the Barbican Centre,, where I though that I was meeting Mum and Auntie Kathy. Unfortunately there was a problem on there line and they were required to get a train, coach and another train. This caused them to arrive a little later than they expected. I also was not in quite the right place, but I was enjoying taking some photos of the water fountains whilst waiting.

Barbican Fountain

Note the second plane

 

 

I also noted that the church across the way was called Saint Giles. I had to text Linda this. It is all very spooky, as the parish which Tony is the vicar happens to also be called Saint Giles. Linda replied to me by saying that "Think God might be bothering you lately..." maybe He has.

 

A last we found each other and made our way to my cousin Shaun's apartment. Shaun works long days in London and his wife Fiona usually works in Luxembourg, so this is a one bedroom apartment, but has got quite roomy living area. I appreciate being able to stay in the middle of London in cosmopolitan digs. Shaun is in Luxembourg until tomorrow night, so I am able to stay here by myself.

After a brief cup of coffee, I set about sorting out my luggage and we all went out for a wander and a bite to eat. We found a pub around the corner and for my lunch I had a 'Chip Shop Platter', which had some fried scampi, chips and battered cod. It was was really nice and I asked it down with a pint of Carling Lager.

Around the corner is Saint Paul's Cathedral. It is very large, but not in the same style as the othe minsters and cathedrals I have see in my journey. I finally had the opportunity to get photos of some squirrels. They were everywhere.

Tailless squirrel

 

Our journey took us to the Thames, and around some other streets around the back of the Cathedral, back to Shaun's.

 

St Paul's Cathedral

A little relax again and we set off to Liverpool Street Station, where Mum and Auntie Kathy needed to get the train back to Norwich. They took my big bag with them so that I don't need to worry with it when I need to get to Heathrow on Monday.

Pretty flower boxes

 

 

We had a drink in the bar at the station and then they left me to go home. I took some photos of the station, bought some nibbles for my tea, and then made my way confidently back to my pad.

Liverpool Street Station

 

I have had my tea and writing this blog at 8:40. I think I will all asleep pretty soon, with hope that I will be able to get a big walk in tomorrow. I look forward to spending tomorrow night with Shaun on his return to London at about 8pm.

9pm and time to go to bed.

 

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