Home

Trains were back in service, got the train out to Heathrow and started the long journey home.  Been a great first big overseas trip.  So glad we did the 2 week tour of France at the start, gave us confidence to step out on our own now.  Loved Paris, London was very busy and so much to see, not many relaxing days there.
I'm sure we'll be back to both cities one day.
Till then, au revoir

Our chariot home.

Madame Tussauds and walk home

Last day today before the big trip home.  The tube strike was still on we got the bus up to Madame Tussauds Waxworks.  All our children have been through so we thought we’d do the tourist thing and go through it as well.  Not a bad way to spend the morning, not too active or exciting for the last day.  Wandered through, went on the ride through the scary tunnels and met all the wax celebrities.
Walked home past Regents Park and the Park Crescent, a half circle of terraced houses overlooking the park – lots of celebrities (live ones...not wax) live here now and in the past.  Ended up down near St Pauls cathedral and had to have a look, went up in to the dome and there were strictly NO PHOTOS...I took one and got in to trouble...oops.  Great views of London from up there and we were allowed to take photos outside. 
Time for a late lunch, so we found an English pub and had our last lunch in London, bit sad really, had a great holiday.  Walked out of the pub and realised we hadn’t had a ride in one of their black Taxis.  Hailed one down and got a ride from there to Trafalgar Square, bought some souvenirs and t-shirts with the last few pounds we had, then walked home, again, through Hyde Park, got home just on dark and had an early night.

One for the grandchildren

He still has all his hair...so far!!

An old friend

With Albert Einstein - that's Albert on the left

Jimi

Three rogues

Look who's here!!!

With Andy Warhol

Park Crescent

Gates of St Pauls Cathedral

This photo got me in to trouble

The Millenium Bridge over the Thames

They didn't catch me taking this photo

It's just food!!!

and me

In the black taxi

out of the black taxi

Almost bed time for the swans in Hyde Park

Royal Albert Hall

The Lady Di Memorial Fountain

This is where we have lived for the last week - Queensborough Terrace, Bayswater.  Those trees at the end of the street are in Hyde Park

Wimbledon, Chelsea, Hyde Park

We were in for a surprise this morning - the tube drivers went on strike last night at midnight.  We got home from the cricket at about 10 so I suppose we were lucky there.  Today we are going to Wimbledon and Chelsea Football Stadium.  Both are on the southern side of the Thames, so it's going to be interesting getting there on the bus!!!
We bought a bus timetable and it was like reading hieroglyphics, none of it made any sense.  There were information people scattered around the bus stops because there were so many people around who didn’t know what they were doing I suppose the bus companies employed a few people so we could get directions.  Got on the first bus and got off at the right stop, changed to another one, got on it, then got off because we were on the wrong side of the road...right bus number, just going in the wrong direction!!!  Corrected our error and we stood up near the front of the bus, the driver could hear our confused conversation so he looked after us and dropped us off at Wimbledon.
Made it in time for the tour, the Championships start in a week so all the grounds were in peak condition.  There is, for the first time, a roof over Centre Court.  Weren’t sure if we’d get in because of the workers still about.  Luckily got a bit of time in there.  Went through the media section, up to ‘Henman Hill’ and along the other courts.  We’ll have to come back one day when the tennis is on.
Walked around to Chelsea Football Stadium.  This is a team with a salary of $100 million dollars so the facilities are pretty good...for the home team – saunas, spas, massage room, private showers and more.  The opposition have a room with a few hooks, never mind!!!
Got the bus back to the city....because of the tube strike, everybody is either in a car or a on a bus, a trip which usually takes 30 minutes took us over an hour and a half.  Good chance to see a bit of London though...bonus!!  Had another visit to Harrods, had a ice-cream – must have been 2 foot tall – huge, lucky it was fat free??  Decided it would be easier to walk home than getting the bus, walked through Hyde Park and home after a frustrating day on the buses.

Entry to Centre Court

Court 2

Fountain up Henman Hill

Top of Henman Hill

Looking across Court 13 to the media area behind the glass

This will be a nice place to have lunch when we come back for the tennis.

Centre Court

Womens trophy

Chelsea

For the opposition

Chelsea team rooms

Personal lockers

Lade Di memorial at Harrods

Hyde Park

We bought a little packet of mixed nuts to feed the squirrels as we had seen someone doing it the other day.  We were told later we shouldn't feed them because some will attack you and some of them may have rabies.  Nice to know!!!